A Statement from Dr. John Fredericksen, Superintendent of Schools, on the Administrative Reorganization
The upcoming reassignment of three of Wicomico's high school principals has generated interest in how we direct the operations of a large, highly skilled and labor-intensive public organization. I'd like to explain how this reorganization is taking place.
Wicomico is a dynamic school system, not a system of individual schools. It is our goal to maximize student achievement in all areas, at all levels, and at all schools.
To achieve this at the county level, this requires a more global view. With ever-changing needs and circumstances, we are constantly evaluating and planning for the best use of our individual administrators and their specific leadership skills. This helps us create benefits for all students, parents, guardians, and staff. To do this, we must have the ability to move people to match needs and skill sets. Our goal is to deliver an optimal set of services for everyone with a focus on student success.
As detailed in Wednesday's announcement of appointments and transfers, this same process of matching administrators with schools is also taking place at the elementary level.
We review all assignments every year to see that we have the right people in the right places within the system. We regularly move administrators, assistants, custodians, nurses, teachers, and other staff as needed. The superintendent is authorized to carry this out under Md. Code Ann., Ed. Art. � 6-201(b). This is one of the most important actions of the superintendent, and it is a responsibility carried out with significant input from key administrative staff and other resources.
I take the responsibility of the operation of this school system very seriously. As a team, we have worked long and hard to make this the very best decision possible, but in the end, it's under my signature. I believe our students will be best served in the 2009-10 school year with some of our school administrators in new assignments.
The rationale for transfer of staff is much like the rationale for initial placement of a staff person. We consider a variety of data points including program needs, enrollment changes, transfer requests, and promotions. In addition, we strive to provide opportunities for professional growth through a variety of experiences and training. All of this is essential to effective succession planning.
When considering a transfer from the school perspective, we look at site needs, staff skills, individual gifts and graces, the global view of superintendent and executive staff, staff/site fit, size of school, scope of programs, levels of challenge, and leadership team diversity (cultural and gender).
All the principals and assistant principals who are moving have given us strong, enthusiastic, positive responses ensuring that they will work to the very best of their abilities to make the 2009-10 school year the very best that it can be for students. I have confidence in all of our administrators and their ability to lead each school to higher levels of student success.
We have planned for an orderly and collaborative transition at these high schools. Teams from each school and the central office will be working diligently over the summer to fully examine and analyze school specific year end student data and identify what is working and what is not. We are also working at the system level to the best of our ability to provide the support needed to help make this happen.
There are already several "leadership academies" planned this summer to examine ways to maximize individual student achievement and provide a safe, orderly and welcoming environment for all students.
By early August, you will receive information from your school's principal outlining these opportunities and plans and how you can provide input, leadership and support as a valued community member.
Full details of the June appointments, promotions and transfers may be found at: http://www.wcboe.org/news/319
Appointments made at the May Board of Education meeting -- including the appointments of two assistant superintendents -- http://www.wcboe.org/news/298
Thank you to all of our administrators and all of our staff members for their dedication and service to the students of Wicomico County Public Schools.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
6 comments:
People do get moved to other schools. You'd never believe what else a Board of Ed might move around to make a school appear to meet standards. No Deception Left Behind.
I bet no one would ever question Jim Perdue if he reorganized his staff.
Dr. Fredericksen is one of the best superintendents we have had. He has the right to move whoever he wishes. Although he justified his actions, who are we to question? There are reasons he has been put in his position and we should let him do his job.
8:33 you must not have a kid at Mardela -- the school that's getting a terrible principal BACK. Who are we to question? As parents, we definitely have the right to question Dr. Fredereickson. He's not God. Give me a break.
Yes leadership team diversity is important so blacks can be represented. Finding Asian, Hispanic or Middle Eastern teachers and administrators is never a priority because those kids are behaving and trying to learn. Nobody cares if those cultures are represented on leadership teams. Diversity means black.
If someone is a terrible principal at a small school and then a terrible principal at a large school, a county superintendent with some guts might conclude that person does not have the gifts and graces to be in charge of a school.
Dr. F. gives the impression that careful analysis shows that a poor principal needs to return to the school she couldn't handle before she went to the next school she couldn't handle. That is just stupid and his wordy jargon doesn't change it.
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