#4 in CCSD: The Principle of Principal Shuffling

In an attempt to appear proactive, Superintendent Postlewait chose to shuffle Charleston County School District principals as though they were a deck of cards. She's still feeling the repercussions and ill-will her ill-advised actions stirred up. It was not a tempest in a teapot, nor will it be forgotten. 

Maybe Postlewait didn't like the principals she inherited, but changes in principals is yet another reason that teachers leave. She should know that. Once upon a time, a principal would stay in the same school until retirement, earning the love and affection of decades of teachers, parents, and even students. Such was the case with E. Bernard Hester, long-time principal at St. Andrews Parish High School. Every principal has faults, but his strengths produced a cohesive and proud student body. 

Imagine if the superintendent had transferred him to, say, the High School of Charleston! You think the French Revolution was bad?

Famously, Jake Rambo refused to leave his post and then quit the district. We don't need to lose good principals like that. In another ridiculous move, Paul Padron, who worked wonders at Haut Gap was kicked upstairs to an administrative position at the Taj, from which he retired. Another great principal lost. 

But we grieve for Sanders-Clyde. We could grieve for Sanders-Clyde on so many levels, but enduring five different principals in seven years is just adding insult to injury. Not one was at the helm long enough to provide stability with serious change. When its community spoke up in favor of Rashon Bradley last May as he completed a successful first year, the superintendent rejected their calls for his continued leadership.  Instead, Janice Malone, former Dunston principal, took her seat on the merry-go-round. Is it merely coincidence that the Marvin Gethers fiasco took place under her supervision?

What we do know is that each shuffle costs money, about $30,000. We also know that schools need stable leadership to prosper. Evidently, our superintendent either doesn't care or doesn't know. 

Apathy or ignorance, take your choice.