East Parents Lack Faith In Principal Hiring

Wisconsin State Journal
Wednesday, December 15, 2004

East Parents Lack Faith In Principal Hiring
by Sandy Cullen

Parents of East High School students say they lack confidence that the School District will hire a principal who can successfully lead what one described as a school "under siege."

About 50 people attended a meeting at the high school Tuesday with Assistant Superintendent Valencia Douglas to discuss the process for hiring a successor to Catherine Tillman.

"We all know what a successful candidate is," parent Lenny Alston told Douglas. "We want to make sure you guys know."

Soon after the start of the school year, Tillman was abruptly reassigned to an administrative position. She recently reached a settlement with the district, and her resignation becomes effective March 31.

Alston was one of several parents who said they had no confidence in the selection process that resulted in Tillman's hiring in September 2002. The district hasn't disclosed the reason for reassigning Tillman, but some parents were concerned early on that she lacked experience to lead the school's diverse population of 2,100 students, 40 percent minorities.

"I can't get over the fact that this place is under siege. We've got problems over here galore," said Alston, a parent of two East graduates and one freshman. "It isn't just a black problem, and it isn't just a race problem ... You guys aren't listening to us, that's the problem."

Other parents wanted to know what would be different from the last time. "It just has to be done right," said parent Pam Cross-Leone. "We cannot afford to fail this time."

Parents advocated for more input earlier in the selection process, before the search is narrowed to eight candidates who are interviewed by a 12-person committee of parents, students, teachers and other high school principals. That group selects three finalists to be interviewed by Douglas and other administrators.

Douglas said the process has resulted in the hiring of many successful principals. She agreed there are problems at the school and pledged that "there will be a very, very good pool of candidates."

Posted by Ed Blume at December 17, 2004 9:24 AM
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