Schools ready for transitions

Last week, the Orange County School Board made major changes to the administration line-up at five local schools. And while the moves may have made sense, the comprehensive overhaul still raised countless questions.
Last week, school board members filled two new central office administrative positions--director of administrative services and director of student services. The former was filled by Locust Grove Middle School teacher Phil Dorn, the latter by Orange County High School principal Euegene Kotulka, setting off a chain reaction of moving principals.
"We knew we had the director of student services position available and that we had the talent locally to fill it," Orange County School Superintendent Dr. Bob Grimesey said. "We knew we would be hiring within, most likely a principal. We also knew we had the other director position which might be filled by a principal."
Grimesey said all employees with administrative certification were told about the openings and if interested, were encouraged to apply for the administrative pool. He said 18 interviews were conducted during an extensive process. Ultimately, Kotulka was chosen to fill one of the director positions.
"That opened up the high school," Grimesey said. "So we go back to the pool interviews. Who would be a good person to fill that position? At every step we had multiple capable people."
Prospect Heights Middle School principal Frank Leech was chosen to fill Kotulka's seat at the high school. Orange Elementary School principal Dan Phillips will take over at Prospect Heights. Gordon-Barbour Elementary School principal Bill Berry will move to Orange Elementary School and Unionville Elementary School Principal Jen Curtis will take his place in Gordonsville. Curtis will be replaced at Unionville Elementary School by Orange County High School assistant principal Jewel Williams. No one had been selected to fill Williams' spot as of Friday.
All had applied to be in the administrative pool with the exception of Berry. Grimesey refers to his switch as more of a "traditional transfer."
"I personally felt Mr. Berry was the best match for Orange Elementary School," he said. "It was more of a traditional transfer where the superintendent looked at the school and felt Mr. Berry had the toolkit for the situation left behind by Mr. Phillips. He graciously accepted."
"In the seven schools in which I have taught in or been an administrator of, I have never felt the sense of family that I have experienced at Gordon-Barbour," Berry said. "I will greatly miss the students, staff and parents."
"Mr. Berry accomplished much at Gordon-Barbour Elementary School and can be the type of leader that attributes to student achievement," Grimesey added. "Orange Elementary School has lots of momentum right now [to build upon]."
Grimesey said no transition work was done in advance of the school board's decision on the administrative changes last Tuesday. He said transition work began Wednesday and will extend into July.
"I expect the physical change in some schools will be as late as the second week in July," he said. "The first priority of outgoing principals is to make sure the incoming principal is adjusted and acclimated to their new school."
As for the upcoming school year, Grimesey said there are leadership priorities for the entire school system followed by priorities for each school based on performance. Plus, principals have their own goals and objectives.
"Orange County Public Schools are very goal-oriented," he said. "We are focused on the kinds of objectives that allow students to get the best education possible despite [the operating budget]."
Grimesey said while no one has said anything to him directly about the recent changes, school board members and principals have received feedback both ways.
"Whenever there is change, people get excited and worried about that change," he said. "The general impression is where relationships have been built with leaders, people would rather not see that disrupted."
District 2 board member Donna Waugh-Robinson said she's heard from teachers, parents and students about the recent changes.
"Most of the concerns seem to be based on their current relationship/attachment to the individual and the fear of the unknown," she said. "None of us embrace change with open arms because it's the unknown, but I can assure you it's a great opportunity for our schools, students and our staff. Each shift in administration is a step forward in their administrative career path. We had an opportunity to promote from within which allows us to keep our talented professionals in Orange. Just because we like them where they are doesn't mean we can keep them in the same position forever. If they wish to further their professional career we have two choices; we can provide them with the opportunity or another county will."
District 3 board member Judy Carter said she too has heard from constituents about the changes, but feels all of the moves were positive.
"Sometimes change is hard but the most positive things are that all of these moves were ‘in-house’ and with no new money or any VRS savings money," she said. "All of the moves were 'upgrades' for the employees. Dr. Grimesey feels we have exceptional people in our system and no reason to go 'outside.' I have always felt that the school board needs to send a message to our employees that with hard work you can move up. I feel we have a great system with great leaders. I have had few phone calls and the calls I have had have been from people not wanting to lose 'their persons' to another school but were happy for the things I have mentioned."
"You have to be mindful of the disruptive effect," Grimesey said, "and balance that with the benefit of change and being fresh. Finding that balance can be a challenge."
New Gordon-Barbour Elementary school principal Jen Curtis said she's eager to continue the school's traditions of success.
"I look forward to meeting and getting to know the students, parents, and staff," she said.
"Jen Curtis has a love of children and high expectations regarding student and teacher performance, just as I do," Berry said. "I would expect there to be a seamless transition."
Prospect Heights Middle School Parent Advisory Board Secretary Tina Morris said she'll miss principal Frank Leech.
"Mr. Leech was always first and foremost for the students," she said. "We had a great working relationship with. He was always outgoing and ready to listen. I'm very sad to see him go and will miss him. I think Mr. Phillips will have a smooth transition. All [of the principals] have the children's best interests at heart. I think they will all do a fine job."
"What stands out the most from my time at Prospect is the dedication of the staff to ensure the success of every child that entered the school," Leech said. "There were many accomplishments by the staff at Prospect. Two that stand out are the implementing of the television production center and the establishment of the National Junior Honor Society and the Boy's and Girl's leadership programs.
 "Being the principal of Orange County High School is an opportunity to fulfill a professional dream and to continue to work with dedicated professionals in an outstanding environment," Leech added. "Mr. Phillips has a proven track record of helping students achieve academically and is a very child centered administrator."
Grimesey said he's excited about the changes.
"They reflect the staff and school needs," he said. "When you break the changes down they have a real logical angle to them. I think people will be able to look at the changes over time and see they are logical."