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Principals in Power in New Orleans?

By Justin Bathon

Even since Hurricane Katrina, the schools in New Orleans have been in a state of constant flux. Rules are being rewritten and there are more charter schools and other non-traditional education opportunities than ever before.

The latest is a proposal by Recovery Superintendent Paul Vallas (former Superintendent of Chicago and Philadelphia). He wants to give more governance authority to principals. This new authority would include the hiring and firing of teachers, a power typically reserved for central administration. Also, the new plan intends to give principals greater control over their budget.

Here is the article in the New Orleans Times-Picayune

While I understand the desire to give this decision-making authority to the people that work most closely with the teachers, I do have a few reservations. First, principals are already overworked. Putting personnel and budget authority also in their hands will only exacerbate the problem. Principals are supposed to be the curriculum leaders for schools. Already most principals find little time for directing the curriculum with all the disciplinary, supervision, and evaluation responsibilities. My second concern is regarding the relationship between principals and teachers. When decisions are made by central office staff (based on principal evaluations and recommendations) principals are free to develop closer relationships with teachers. But, when a principal knows they may have to fire a teacher they are less likely to develop those intimate relationships that help the school function. Also, teachers will likely become more vocal about personnel decisions. A board, superintendent and central administration is hard to fight, but a local principal is much easier to get removed with a little public outcry. With the new configuration, I would expect teachers to complain more publicly in attempts to remove unfavorable principals.

Anyway, those are just a few reservations that strike me immediately about this possible governance change. I do not think I am 100% opposed to it, but it will carry implications that will probably make local schools more cold and hostile places.

Full post as published by Edjurist on October 25, 2007 (boomark / email).