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Many Fresh Faces Are Leading San Pedro's Schools This Fall

Posted on: Monday, 26 September 2005, 15:00 CDT

16moreEDUCATIONSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2005briefINMoreInfo

If you have an idea for an education story or just want to drop us a line about an event at a San Pedro school, call Paul Clinton at 310-540-5511 Ext. 464 or e-mailpaul.clinton@dailybreeze.com.On the Chinese zodiac, 2005 is the Year of the Rooster. In San Pedro's public schools, it could accurately be called the Year of the New Principal.

If the zodiac is to be believed, people born in rooster years tend to be deep thinkers, highly capable and talented -- all qualities needed for success in arguably Los Angeles Unified's toughest, most high profile job.

While rooster years come around once every 12 years, it may have been that long since this many new faces took over as top administrators to oversee the education of the town's children.

"I don't remember this much change all at the same start of the school year," said Bonnie Taft, Point Fermin Elementary School's new principal.

Taft, a Palos Verdes Peninsula resident, was the assistant principal at Crestwood Street Elementary School and a teacher prior to that.

Taft is one of four new faces to lead San Pedro area elementary schools, along with three second-year principals, of the dozen schools. Lisa O'Brien and Paul Suzuki take over at White Point Elementary and South Shores Visual and performing Arts Magnet, respectively.

More change occurred at the secondary level, as new principals have started at San Pedro High School, Dana Middle School and Dodson Middle School. The Port of Los Angeles High School, a new independently operated charter operating under the LAUSD, brought in a new, yet familiar face in Marie Collins, who taught English at San Pedro High in the 1980s.

In all, eight new administrators take over at Local District 8's 17 public campuses that teach San Pedro's children.

Whether they are assuming duties at an elementary, middle or high school, new principals face a daunting challenge. To succeed, they must rally the school's staff, offer support to teachers and communicate with parents and the community about the direction of the school.

"In going into a new organization, it is about learning to listen," said Kevin Baker, the Local District 8's elementary director. "It's about listening to the culture of the community."

Terry Ball, the new principal at Dana Middle School, said he would not rush changes at a school that district officials are focusing on to raise test scores. Ball said he would work cooperatively with teachers to improve achievement.

Principals usually can't make or break a school on their own, yet they can be prone to drawing lightning when trouble arises.

Prior to Taft's arrival, Point Fermin Elementary's principal Geraldine "Gerrie" Cole faced the ire of parents and teachers upset about the sudden layoff of a new teacher. Several classes were shifted around during the middle of the school year.

The school's Academic Performance Index, a widely used state measure of academic achievement, fell 56 points, according to state data released in late August.

The men and women picked for these jobs follow a career arc district officials look for in people leading schools. They worked as teachers, coordinators in some cases and then as assistant principals before being named as principal.

Two of the new principals have prior experience running a school - - Suzuki, who moved to the South Shores magnet from White Point Elementary, and Collins, a former principal at Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School.

Since the charter school is independently operated, Collins didn't go through the usual paces set out for principal candidates in LAUSD.

Before they can be considered for the job, candidates must pass a battery of written and oral exams to be placed on a qualified candidate list.

Then, they can apply for openings, usually posted on the district's Web site.

They then go through several interviews with a panel of parents, teachers and administrators at the school. The panel ranks three choices and forwards the list to Local District 8 Superintendant Myrna Rivera, who then must approve the choice.

"It's an arduous process," Taft said, adding that her experience as assistant principal at Crestwood Street Elementary School helped prepare her.

Principals must not only "set the vision" for the education, Taft said. They must also manage construction projects, take precautions to enhance safety on campus and manage the school budget.

"I'm probably the newest principal in Pedro," said Taft, during her fourth day on the job. "There's a lot more decision making involved (than as assistant principal). You're encompassing everything involving the whole school."

EDUCATIONWE WANT TO KNOW

Think your school should be in the education section of More San Pedro? E-mail paul.clinton@dailybreeze.com.""17moreSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2005

Source: Daily Breeze

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