Comments on The DC Education Blog: More on Shepherd Elementary School firing

When former Shepherd ES principal Galeet BenZion l...

2008-10-13T19:02:00.000-04:00

When former Shepherd ES principal Galeet BenZion last Friday wrote of her firing: "According to the Chancellor I am not the right fit to this community," it reflected actions by some in that community, probably incessant fault-finding, calls and emails to Downtown. Those are the irritants the Chancellor told a surprised Wilson HS PTA meeting last March caused her to take over the school with assignment of a veteran Chancellor's "Special Assistant".

Every appointment of a new principal is Downtown's; and every principal has been on notice from their first meeting with the Chancellor that they serve at her will, without tenure rights. Every parent could have known that from the dismissals of principals at the end of SY07-08. And even before then, from the takeover of Wilson HS last March by an on-site Chancellor's "Special Assistant."
In summary: Every appointment is Downtown's,so Mr. Yates was not restating the obvious, that Downtown was replacing at midyear its own appointee. Only those claiming to have legitimate authority announce after a debacle that they have not been "heeded." Mr. Yates at once reasserted a claim of local hiring authority and explained why BenZion was subverted by some in the Shepherd community: The Chancellor had not followed the local recommendation.

A likely explanation for the new, midyear, Shepherd ES principal appointment? Sharp enrollment declines in DCPS and looming budget shortfalls of enormous magnitude due to recent spendthrift ways compounded by new and soon-to-be-announced tax revenue shortfalls.
Implication? Staff positions such as "principal coach", a slot the new appointee came from, cannot be carried any longer. Time to protect some of those staff in the safe harbors of line positions at the local school level.
And, what safer harbor than to Shepherd ES, where a 6th principal in 25 months --next July -- would be educationally unthinkable?

I thought his point was that this was Rhee's hand-...

2008-10-13T14:56:00.000-04:00

I thought his point was that this was Rhee's hand-picked person -- not someone she could claim was foisted on her by parents, teachers, etc.

The phrase reinforces the general theme that Rhee is arbitrary, unresponsive, and irresponsible. She even reverses her own opinions (which nevertheless trump everyone else's opinions) quickly and without credible explanations.

"Recall that Dr. BenZion is the principal whom Cha...

2008-10-12T18:12:00.000-04:00

"Recall that Dr. BenZion is the principal whom Chancellor Rhee appointed effective July 1 of this year, not heeding the School Panel's recommendation of candidates who were experienced DCPS teachers and administrators"

Mr. Yates, with the second long phrase, beginning "not heeding the School Panel...." you discounted the value of everything else you wrote, and every appreciation of your BenZion. How very unfortunate for the kids and supportive teachers, staff and parents at Shepherd.
Why did you do it Mr. Yates? Did you feel you needed to show how important you are as a parent leader at the school? With reminders such as contained in that phrase, you signaled that BenZion didn't have 100% support. There were still parents and or staff noting every mistake she made, complaining and reporting them to buddies Downtown.
How very sad for the students, teachers, and BenZion. Kids at Shepherd had a chance with a principal who could see dimensions of development and performance so far beyond filling in the bubbles on the tests.
And you screwed the pooch.