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"If I could only make one change in the whole school system," says Ron Saxton, current School Board chairman, "it would be to make sure each school had the best person as principal." Conversely, he says, "with a weak principal, it's not going to be a good school no matter how much money you spend." So what do we have to offer to attract talented, energetic people to these positions? According to a recent Blue Ribbon Finance Committee report, "annual salaries for principals are about $10,000 below the districts PPS competes with." As a result, the school administration now worries about poaching by neighboring school districts this spring. In addition, as a result of a decision by former Superintendent Jack Bierwirth to keep as many teachers in the classrooms as possible during budget cuts, the ranks of vice principals, counselors and administrative staff have been decimated, leaving principals to perform all manner of duties that have little or no direct connection to the kids and teachers in their buildings. These conditions may have something to do with the sudden exodus of principals. Despite these drawbacks, Frederick reports that, while walking the halls of the Blanchard Education Services Center in recent weeks, he's seen "some good folks coming in for interviews...hot-shot teachers and counselors with administrative certificates." Five former principals--Darryl Tucker (high schools), Peter Hamilton (middle schools) and Diana Letiner, Ed Bettencourt and Vihn Nguyen (elementary schools)--currently serve as directors of student achievement for PPS. They will make the first--and most crucial--decisions in the process to identify new principals. Then local site councils will be involved. Finally, acting Superintendent Diana Snowden will recommend names to the board for final approval. Snowden will have her hands full this spring renegotiating the teachers' contract and bridging the $20 million to $24 million funding gap schools face next year. These daunting tasks notwithstanding, the greatest legacy of her short time in charge of Portland's public schools is sure to find its form in the 30 or more new principals she will be naming before stepping down this summer. |
