Quick Take
After an outcry from parents, staff and teachers against the decision earlier this month to switch principals at two Live Oak School District schools, the district’s governing board announced Thursday morning it rescinded the reassignments.
After an outcry from parents, staff and teachers against the decision earlier this month to switch principals at two Live Oak School District schools, the district’s governing board announced Thursday morning it rescinded the reassignments.
Board president Kristin Pfotenhauer sent an email to parents and staff Thursday saying Shoreline Middle School Principal Colleen Martin and Green Acres Elementary Principal Marilyn Rockey will remain at their schools rather than switching in the upcoming academic year.
“We heard clearly from staff and parents that people need stability now,” she said in the message.
On March 15, the district sent out an email informing parents, teachers and staff of four administrative reassignments and the switching of the two principals for the upcoming academic year. In response, teachers and parents voiced outrage and said the district had ignored their pleas to keep the administrative leadership at Shoreline Middle intact.
They were previously fighting to keep Shoreline Middle Assistant Principal Melissa Nix – whose position the district proposed to cut in half as part of its solution to its ongoing budget crisis – in a full-time position, which the district ultimately did. So, when the reassignment of Martin was announced, parents and teachers were shocked. They started a petition against it and wrote emails to board members.
After the announcement Thursday, teachers and parents expressed relief.
Shoreline Middle School teacher Jeremy Powell said the atmosphere at the school upon hearing the news was “absolute jubilation” and “relief.”
“Now we can get back to work, education and creating an atmosphere of mutual support for staff and students,” he told Lookout.
Live Oak Elementary parent Serena Potter said she’s happy about the news but at the same time, she’s disappointed in the board’s decision-making.
“I am hopeful that in the future, before making big changes, they check in with stakeholders and consider the effects it may have on our children and hard-working staff,” she said.
During a special board meeting on Wednesday, the board also approved a contract with a search firm for a new superintendent after Superintendent Daisy Morales announced her resignation earlier this month. The district will work with Leadership Associates.
Because Morales’ resignation came late in the school year, the district is considering hiring an interim superintendent.
“As a board, we are interested in building a district culture of trust and openness that will support the transition of a new superintendent, whether interim or permanent,” Pfotenhauer wrote in the message.
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