Interim D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson last week appointed a temporary principal to Rose L. Hardy Middle School, which has been embroiled in a leadership controversy. Daniel Shea started the job Monday. But no one should think the majority of parents, students or faculty are satisfied. Two days before he took over the Georgetown school, several students appeared before the D.C. Council. They expressed concerns about the rapid decline of the school under Dana Nerenberg, who had replaced previous principal Patrick Pope. Students complained about changes in class schedules and the erosion of the school’s award-winning arts program. They also urged Chairman Kwame Brown to push for Pope’s reinstatement. But Brown asked students to give Shea time “to get Hardy back on track.” Who better to restore the school’s stellar reputation than Pope? He was pulled from Hardy last year by then-Chancellor Michelle Rhee. She said she wanted him to plan a citywide performing arts middle school. In reality, she was reacting to demands made by some parents at nearby elementary schools who wanted a more traditional and rigorous academic program.
Interestingly, under Pope, Hardy consistently met annual academic performance goals. Its faculty had received numerous awards. Last week, Henderson told me “Patrick Pope was a good principal who performed well.” But she said Shea is “best equipped to lead Hardy for the remainder of the school year.”
Parent leaders like Candy Miles-Crocker don’t agree. They said they are unhappy with Henderson’s selection of Shea. They said they were encouraged to present the interim chancellor with a description of the type of principal they wanted for Hardy. But minutes after presenting that information, they received an e-mail noting she already had selected someone for the job. After parents complained, they said she shifted gears and appointed Shea. They were upset that Henderson didn’t interview Pope until after she had chosen Shea.
Pope could not be reached for comment.
“I was so angry. [Henderson] placated us,” said Miles-Crocker.
“I kept an open mind and listened to all suggestions. Parents said they wanted a proven leader who has had experience as a middle school principal and experience in scheduling,” Henderson said. “I appointed a well-qualified, well-respected interim principal with more than 20 years experience.”
Actually, Shea was principal at two schools in Montgomery County for a total of 15 years. Pope’s experience is comparable. Further, the performing arts school project to which he was assigned has been placed on hold. In other words, the premise for pulling Pope from Hardy is no longer relevant.
The victims in the DCPS central administration’s principal shuffle have been students and Pope, who is expect to be assigned to Savoy Elementary in Southeast when the principal there goes on leave.
“What kind of message are we sending, when the reward for a top-performing principal is that you are taken out of your school?” asked Miles-Crocker. “It makes no sense.”
Jonetta Rose Barras’ column appears on Monday and Wednesday. She can be reached at [email protected].
