“The unique fabric of our community cannot be overstated. It shows in many beautiful ways, but it also includes broad and deep needs,” said a parent at the school. the Teachers and Students Association said in a recent letter to district leaders. “We ask that you maximize the spirit, not the letter, of the selection process so that communities can more easily trust and invest in the process of selecting school leaders.”
The letter, jointly signed by Glasgow Secondary School's PTA and the six primary schools participating in the justice movement, details the specific characteristics the parent organization is looking for in a headteacher and its expectations for the community voice process. It has been stated.
Justice High School is one of the most diverse schools in Fairfax County, home to the state's largest school system. More than 70 percent of the school's students are economically disadvantaged, one of the highest percentages of any high school in the county, and more than 45 percent are English language learners.
In a separate letter, the school's faculty and staff similarly asked district leaders to investigate and consider the matter. their opinion.
“This turnover rate inhibits sustained academic and professional growth and the development of a positive school culture,” the letter said. “The impact that these frequent leadership changes have on students, families, and teachers is clear. That’s why choosing a principal who is committed to leading our schools long-term is a top priority.”
Schools have suffered from staffing shortages since the pandemic began, and teacher retention has become a critical education issue nationwide. High-poverty schools have traditionally had higher teacher and staff turnover rates, but they only increased after the pandemic. The percentage of principals who retired or resigned in a given year jumped from about 3% before the pandemic to 16% in the 2021-2022 school year, according to the Rand Corporation report.
During a virtual meeting This week, Fairfax County Public Schools leaders briefed families on the next steps in the selection process. Region 2 Assistant Superintendent Megan Vroman said the district is committed to taking feedback from parents and community members seriously. Leaders will meet with students and staff in small groups in the coming weeks to hear more about their needs and expectations of their next principal.
“We want to get this right. We want to get this right for our kids. We want to get this right for our community. So this is a place where we can accept ideas and thoughts and do something about them,” Vroman said.
On Thursday, Fairfax Schools Superintendent Geovanie Ponce sent a letter to the Justice School community. “We understand and share your concerns regarding the change of principal at Justice High School and the impact it has had on school continuity and community perception,” he wrote. “Rest assured, we are committed to addressing these issues and selecting candidates who not only meet the needs of our diverse student body, but also promote stability and continuity within our schools. ”
Justice PTSA President Kim Lanoue said in an interview that she was encouraged by the open discussion during the virtual meeting.She shared clear findings regarding the feedback the district received and encouraged leaders to Explain to parents how that feedback will be used to inform the principal's choices.
“Our situation is, in some ways, a reflection of where education as a whole is right now,” Lanue said. “I think being a principal is a very tough job. I think it's very difficult at the high school level, and it takes an individual in a unique position to be successful at a school like Justice High School.”
Ann Woodbury (51 years old) A 10th grader at Justice College said in an interview that he worries about how disruptive the introduction of new leaders every few years will be to the school community. This can make it more difficult to hire staff and foster a strong school culture, she said.
“The high turnover rate at Justice is having a negative impact on our community and our children,” Woodberry said. “We hope to find candidates who will remain at our school.”
