The beginning of the Summer started with the Reassignment of 9 Under-Performing Principals and left the school district with 17 open principal vacancies.
The 64th Annual Summer Leadership Conference for school based leadership (principals and assistant principals) started today. In attendance are 17 new principals. Who is your school’s new principal?
Feel free to Google our new principals and let us know your thoughts.
Principal Rebecca Braaten – CHAMBLEE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
Ms Braaten has a Masters in Educational Administration from New Mexico State University and has been the Assitant Superintendent of Education at Muscogee County Schools since 2013. She also held various leadership positions with Polk County Schools since 2005.
Principal Jesse Berger – DRESDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mr Berger was most recently a principal at Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and Clayton County Schools.
Principal Malik Douglas – FLAT ROCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dr Douglas was the assistant principal at Arabia Mountain HS. His experience includes being a teacher in Henry County Schools and a Civil Affairs Officer with the US Army.
Principal Peggy Davis – KELLEY LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Ms Davis was an assistant principal in DeKalb Schools. Her experience includes being a Success For All Facilitator and Literacy Coach.
Principal Darrick McCray – LITHONIA HIGH SCHOOL
Mr McCray has been a principal in Dooly County Schools and Bibb County Schools. He was an assistant principal in Clayton and a teacher at APS.
Principal Marcus Kimber – MILLER GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mr Kimber’s experience includes being an assistant principal and teacher in DeKalb Schools.
Principal Laura Baez – MONTCLAIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Ms Baez has been an assistant principal and teacher at DeKalb Schools. She comes from El Paso Texas where she was a reading specialist.
Principal Marsha Sears – MURPHEY CHANDLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Ms Sears has also been an assistant principal and teacher at DeKalb Schools. She was also an adjunct professor at DeVry University.
Principal Sabrina Pressley – OAK VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Ms Pressley was assistant principal and teacher at DeKalb Schools. Before that she taught computer skills at Boys and Girls Club of America
Principal Corey L. Stegall – PANOLA WAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Professional Experience includes
• District Representative Financial Education, Primerica Financial Services
• Principal, Green County Schools
Principal Karen Davis – REDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Professional Experience includes
• Assistant Principal, DeKalb County Schools
• Teacher, DeKalb County Schools
Principal Lisa Green – ROCK CHAPEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Professional Experience includes
• Assistant Principal, Gwinnett County Schools
• Teacher, Gwinnett County Schools
Principal Viva Jones – SHADOW ROCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Professional Experience includes
• Assistant Principal, Fulton County Schools
• Teacher, Fulton County Schools
Principal Johnny Potter – SNAPFINGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Professional Experience includes
• Assistant Principal, DeKalb County Schools
• Teacher, DeKalb County Schools
Principal Rasheen Booker – STEPHENSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Professional Experience includes
• Instructional Support Specialist, DeKalb County Schools
• Principal, Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County Schools
• Assistant Principal, Clayton County Schools
• Teacher, DeKalb County Schools, Atlanta Public Schools
Principal Cassandra Davis – STONEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Professional Experience includes
• Coordinating Supervisor-Region 1, Clayton County Schools
• Counselor, Teacher, DeKalb County Schools
Principal Brandy Jermon – WOODRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Professional Experience includes
• Assistant Principal, DeKalb County Schools
• Instructional Coach, DeKalb County Schools
• Teacher, DeKalb County Schools
Dr. Ralph Simpson has accepted a Deputy Superintendent position with the Clayton County School System effective Monday, July 31, 2017. In preparation for school opening and to ensure operations run smoothly for Region 5, Dr. Green is making the following appointments effective Monday, July 31, 2017.
• Appointment of Dr. Bernetta Jones, Principal of Cedar Grove ES as Interim Regional Superintendent, Region 5
• Appointment of Mr. Norman Thomas, former principal of Meadowview ES as Principal, Cedar Grove ES
Update of the employment status of the nine (9) principals that were demoted.
- Zack Phillips – Early Childhood Coordinator
- Ledra Jemison – Assistant Principal
- Karen Williams – Assistant Principal
- Ethan Suber – Assistant Principal
- Rodney Mallory – Assistant Principal
- Michael Williamson – Instructional Technology Manager
- Terry Segovis – Retired
- Sylvia Pilson – Retired
- Dominique Drew-Terrell – Teacher Contract
“Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
A new principal is needed at Stone Mountain High School, that school is underperforming and needs new safety procedures.
So, Dr. Green interviewed and hired each of these principals?
Last week Dr. Green sent me an email saying he was going to interview the finalists for each principal vacancy.
I’m commenting to Towers to getting a new Principal. I feel that the current one is not doing his job these kids aren’t safe and there education is on the line. Also I want the kids to enjoy there high school experience.
Where is International Student Center’s Principal? Where are all the AP jobs?
But, Marilyn you must be mistaken! Since Ralph Simpson committed a felony but was allowed to have a second chance, in that one year he cleaned Towers every which way but loose. There should never be a problem ever again. But, if necessary, he can go back and do it all over again. He’s a doozy!
Mr. Jester,
We are using Hazard, Young, Attea to search for the following jobs:
1. Region I Superintendent
2. Chief of HCM
3. Ex. Director of Athletics
4. Public Safety Director
https://ecragroup.com/leadership/active-searches/
According to the AJC this was the firm that we paid $140,000 dollars to last year.
Are these new searches covered in that $ 140,000 dollars?
Why isn’t our own HR Department able to do these kind of searches?
AJC
http://www.myajc.com/news/local-education/dekalb-schools-paid-search-firm-140-000-2016-but-few-records-explain-why/oxohy2LiOK9PpBl5mcd2JP/
Didn’t Rasheen Booker (new principal at Stephenson) get fired from his job in Atlanta Schools, but he is still good enough to be a Dekalb principal.
Its seems like Dekalb schools go out the way just to hire the worst people to be administrators and then turn around and wonder why schools are not improving.
I received this update from DeKalb Schools administration on HYA this past April
HYA assisted DCS with seven senior administrative positions and one high school principal position. The consultant met with Dr. Green and his staff to discuss the scope of the engagement and plan the milestones of the process. National advertising and recruitment began immediately and continued until the last position was filled. The HYA consultant screened all applicants through resume review, Skype Interviews, and reference checks. A slate of the most qualified applicants who matched the needs of DCS were presented in application/resume form to the Superintendent’s office. DCS then conducted its own screening and selection process from the field of qualified applicants to select the final candidate for the following positions:
Chief Academic and Accountability Officer–98 Applicants
Chief Legal Officer—26 Applicants
Executive Director, Exceptional Education—53 Applicants
Chief Human Capital Officer—8 Applicants
Executive Director of Student Advancement, Student Support and Intervention–22 Applicants
Chief Communications and Community Relations Officer–8 Applicants
Director, Charters, School Governance, and Flexibility—36 Applicants
Lakeside High School Principal—48 applicants
299 applicants from 29 states across the nations as well as applicants from District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, and Bermuda applied for these positions.
John Kicklighter would turn over in his grave if he knew we don’t even have one respectable candidate for this once esteemed principalship!
It is high time that Dr. Green selected a permanent Region 1 Superintendent. It is terribly unfair to Region 1 schools that their Superintendent doesn’t have the same status as all other Regional Superintendents.
Are Ms. Johnson’s recommendations given the same weight as those of the other Regional Superintendents? Does she get the same “inside scoop” that the other Regional Superintendents do? Is she getting the same salary as the others?
Ms. Johnson has been in Interim status for way too long. If she’s doing a great job, make it permanent. If not, find someone who will do a better job. If there’s some problem with her not meeting all of the requirements of the job description, then someone should make an informed decision, weighing her actual performance vs. that of some “hypothetical” Region 1 Superintendent that hasn’t been found in over a year of supposed HR searching.
@Joy, thanks for the article. Who is this Manamay Malathip? What is her job?
@Stan, have you interviewed her? What does she do?
Per the District website, Manomay Malathip is the Executive Director of Student Advancement. The approved FY18 Budget Detail says that her salary is $116,712 + $34, 052 in benefits (page 310). I’m pretty sure this is before the 2% across-the-board raise for all non-teaching employees.
Manamay Malathip
http://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/from-superintendent-former-district-join-dekalb-schools/SIWqylDoZ3KAdX3OKxpcaM/
Central Office Reorg Phase II
The board must fix this waste of money and do a better job in stopping this top heavy reorganization. @Stan, @Anonymous and @Joy, thanks for the reply. According to Professional Standards Commission, she has no certification. A 5-year provisional license was granted for Support Personnel. Why and when are such license granted? In teaching, the individual with a provisional is working toward a certification to fully gain position and paid at a provisional rate? Is $116,712 + $34, 052 in benefits (page 310) a provisional pay? What is Student Advancement? Who or what does she manage as an Executive Director? The board must stop this waste.
So our new principal shocked Muskogee county with a sudden resignation? What’s the story behind this? Going from asst super to princpal? Something’s fishy.
Yes, Rasheen Booker was escorted out the building of Margaret Fain in APS (2016). MACE, the teachers’ organization picketed him at both Clayton County (Morrow Middle) and APS. I went and looked at the application and it states lying on an application will result in automatic non-consideration. Perhaps this is the caliber of principals that DeKalb thinks it needs. Google his name and you will see what I found in 10 minutes. I see you listed his current position as an Instructional Specialist. Isn’t that several steps down from his previous principal status. Isn’t that a red flag for any one…..yet you dump him on the parents at Stephenson. After all, we don’t count. We are in the southern end of the district. It’s where parents are perceived to want less for their children. We just got rid of one detached principal. Wow, thanks alot!!
@cap22 Nothing will be done about such placement of principals in Region 3, 4 or 5 unless the predominant black community stops accepting it. There are many discussions about North vs South schools. The North community is very mindful of what is happening to their community and tries to be proactive in their approach. The South community is another story – reactive.
Guys i promise you will love Mr. Booker. I had an opportunity to meet and work with him for the first time last year. He is awesome. Give him a fair chance and then draw a conclusion . You might be pleasantly surprised. Good luck this school year.
Stan, I spent 10 minutes googling Dr. Rasheen Booker. The highlights:
(1) An August 14, 2015 article in Buckhead Patch says Dr. Rasheen Booker was a newly-assigned Principal at APS’s Fain Elementary School:
https://patch.com/georgia/buckhead/aps-kicks-new-school-year-new-principals-0
(2) On June 7, 2016, the AJC reported that Fain Elementary was getting a new Principal, somebody named Desmond Moore:
http://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/ten-atlanta-schools-get-new-principals/2FMnumELY9QRK9mg4RSoGL/
From those two articles, we know that Dr. Booker did even not last 10-months working for Dr. Carstarphen — he started in August and his replacement was in place the following June. Something really bad must have happened for him to be out of that job so quickly.
(3) His resume posted under the “My Experiences” section of Dr. Booker’s personal website (http://drrasheenbooker.weebly.com/) says that he has been a Principal at Clayton’s Morrow Middle School from “2012 to Present”.
From that resume and the AJC article, we can conclude that Dr. Booker was only a Clayton Principal for three years, at the longest if we count the entire 12/13, 13/14, and 14/15 school years.
(4) His resume says his Ph.D. is from Capella University, the *for* profit online degree mill.
Nepotism and Fluff – This is a very low-level base of principals. Cere, and here you were worrying about Dr. Green’s getting tired out from so much interviewing. Gosh, all he did was hire friends and family, per usual, nutting to it! The job of supt is a piece of cake. Anyone who wants to file a lawsuit for nepotism will find several new principals to be the children of principals, directors, etc. who made a fast trip up the ladder. So, Dr. Green, I hope you get fired over this. You should. What you did is unfair to all competent, hard-working but not connected to the family employees.
Stan, I know it’s not fair that you have to do all the talking for this “administration,” but that’s all the community has, and we are grateful. The nepotism and fluff I spoke of that went into these decisions for principals are true. Someone will file a lawsuit. Also, I still want the list of APs and the name of the Principal at ISC. Many thanks!
Concerned Citizen, please be more specific with your claims of nepotism — which of these hires are “children of principals, directors, etc”?
Please do the research. It’s very obvious! There has been no attempt to cover up nepotism and friends. I thought the supt was supposed to stop these practices, not to flagrantly abuse them! If I can sniff it out, so can we all.
Nepotism, friends, and family is such an accurate statement.
Stan,
We heard that some of the reassigned principals were put in Asst. Principal positions in DeKalb County? Is this a fact? If this is true can you tell us the name of these Asst. Principals and the schools they are assigned to?
I haven’t been updated on the APs
Dear DSW2Contributor,
One of the newly hired principals is Sandra Nunez’s daughter who is the DeKalb County School District’s Director of English Language, International Welcome Center, and Gifted Programs. The daughter has a different last name than Sandra Nunez. So, these are not claims of nepotism, these are facts. Nepotism is definitely ALIVE in the DeKalb County School District.
Stan,
In case you haven’t heard, we now have two Regional Superintendent vacancies because Clayton County named Ralph Simpson their Deputy Superintendent -School Leadership & Improvement:
http://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=54515&pageId=9384014
Our loss is Clayton County’s gain!
The appointment of Sandra Nunez’s daughter to principal will come before the board.
Stan,
Region 5 definitely took a loss with Ralph Simpson leaving for Clayton. Region 1 has been suffering for over two years without a Regional Superintendent. I agree that it is high time Dr. Green selects a qualified permanent Region 1 Superintendent. Sherry Johnson the interim Region 1 Superintendent has never served in a leadership capacity. Sherry Johnson has never served as an Assistant Principal or Principal. Prior to being named Interim Region 1 Superintendent she was a coordinator for the Region 1 Superintendent…..so in other words a “glorified secretary.” How in the world is she qualified to serve as even an Interim Regional Superintendent? How is she going to tell anyone how to run a school when she has never ran or even assisted in running a school??
Why nothing on Tucker High School’s new principal?
I don’t know about that. Jim McMahan might know something. Send him an email and let us know what he says.
The new Principal at Tucker High is Tamra Tatts, former assistant principal at Towers.
Citizen Concerned2, Manomay Malathip recently met with a group of us to review data and “tell her story”. The data review was rehearsed and she made several mistakes. Her story was interesting yet not necessary for the meeting. Several attendees joked that she stated her time in DeKalb (over a year) and still has Kansas City license plates on her car. Perhaps she will click her heels along with Dr. Green and his other cronies and return to Kansas. There are three groups of employees reporting to her – CTAE, Title I parent centers, and post-secondary folks.
I am thoroughly unimpressed with Manomay. She needs to get in the car and go back to KC before her license expires. She can’t possibly be paid the salary I see…goodbye, go.
Stan,
Our questions and our thoughts: Why would the BOE assign a Principal with the least amount of experience to a school like Stoneview Elementary? Are you guys serious? Do you realize the climate and culture of that place? Students are so out of control…Fights constantly in class…The cafeteria is a mess and unsafe..Kids hanging out in hallways constantly…Teachers being attacked…Absenteeism as well as tardies, are through the roof..And not counted by the way..They can barely get any subs in that school..Equipment is so outdated…Heat and air does not work..Just about all of the teachers left..Fights on school bus..Buses are always late..Morale is @ an all time low..That school needs seasoned leadership…You guys know this and yet you allowed it…Ask Dr. Booker…He got out after 1 year…Shame on you All!!!!
@Eric Green,
At first I was going to take you to task for such a negative picture of Stoneview Elementary, but then I looked at the 2016 CCRPI results.
Stoneview ES earned a 45.8 CCRPI score and only a 1 Star School Climate Rating.
Only 35% of fifth graders are reading on grade level. Only 45.5% are absent less than 6 days. All of the Performance Flags for academic performance were red (as opposed to green or yellow).
So it does sound like a school in deep distress. I hope that Principal Davis does a good job and that she receives support from the District.
Also, Stoneview ES is the ONLY elementary school in the Lithonia HS cluster.
Not surprisingly, Lithonia MS has a 2016 CCRPI of 47.1 and has only 50% of 8th graders reading on grade level. Only 54% are absent less than 6 days. It earned only 1 Star in the School Climate Rating.
Lithonia HS manages to do a bit better, with a 2016 CCRPI score of 61.9 and a graduation rate of 75%. It earned 2 Stars in the School Climate Rating.
I’m sure this is too much information, but it is so sad that these students have such a grim K-12 experience. Of course there are some awesome students and teachers in this cluster, but overall it is so discouraging.
The 2015-16 GOSA data show that Lithonia HS teachers have an average of 13 years experience, with 75% of teachers having more than a bachelor’s degree (specialist, master’s degree, or doctorate). Lithonia MS is similar.
2015-16 GOSA data for Stoneview ES shows teachers have an average of 12 years experience, with 50% having more than a bachelor’s degree.
This doesn’t sound terrible. Yet it’s not working.
The Board of Education creates the position and the Superintendent is charged with creating the process to fill it.
Principal Selection Process
There was an extensive 4 Phased – Principal Selection Process involving interviews with the school council (which consists of parents, teachers and community), Regional Superintendent and Superintendent Green.
I haven’t seen the results from any of the phases from the Stoneview ES Principal selection process. From what I can tell, the process was followed at the schools I looked in to.
Anonymous…There is no need to take us to task…We get our information from parents, employees and students…We want what is best for the students and the staff…Look @ the history of the school…The students and staff deserve better…This would not happen in the northern schools..For sure..Also..We were told that the former Principal @ Stoneview was reassigned in a Asst. Principal my position!!!! Wow!! That sorority connection is alive and well..We heard she is assigned to a Middle School in DeKalb..Can you give us the facts Stan?
Mr. Jester,
You do an excellent job in trying to share information. It is greatly appreciated. I believe that part of the problem is that it does not seem at times that the school district is forth coming in providing information. So it makes people feel that there is more to the story. Or we are told things that just do not seem right or fair.
For example:
1. The district pays money for a national search. Then several of the people who are hired have worked with our superintendent in Kansas. He is the superintendent. If he wanted these people, save the money. Just recommend these people.
2. Region I has not had a permanent superintendent for over 2 years. That is not fair to the Region or to Ms. Johnson. We are supposed to believe that in 2 years we could not find one single person who was qualified for that job. Both Chamblee and Dunwoody will have new principals. The Dunwoody Principal is going to the CTAE Dept.
3. There was a National Search for the Lakeside Principal. Why wasn’t there a national search for all principals? There may be a good reason for that. But it makes it seems like one school is being treated differently than another school.
4. The CEO of HCM job was open for months before it was officially posted. I think it was finally posted in May. 5. Months ago at a BOE Business Meeting you asked questions about hiring for the School Police Head. This job was finally posted in May.
6. Tucker had a principal before the last group of principals were listed. That information could have been shared earlier.
7 The Chamblee principal notified the county in May that he was leaving. Again it is hard to understand how it could take to July to find someone.
8. Having a convocation on the Friday before school starts is not a good time. It shows a lack of understanding of the work that has to be done to start the school year. If there is good news to share, it could have been a Live Stream on PDS 24. We are in the age of electronic communication.
When people are not given information, then they look for their own reasons.
Joy, You see quite clearly. Also, I don’t think McFerrin leaving Dunwoody HS was public knowledge yet.
Stan,
What details do you get about the search process? I see that positions had 98 or 53 or 48 applicants, but can we know how many applied from out of the school district and what process was used in determining what candidates would make it to the interview stage or school-level interviews? I’ve been told that only two or three make it to the school-level interview, but I have no way of verifying this.
My concern is that we’re paying for a search only to support the hiring of someone already chosen or connected to the school district-not to find the best candidate.
I would also like to know more about how a candidate’s qualifications are used in making selections or promoting existing Dekalb administrators. Two of the newly appointed principals have ethics violations according to the certificate information posted on Georgia PSC. A few others seem to have been “teaching” for two or three years only to become an administrator. Some, even at the central office level, have only a 5 certificate or master’s level qualification.
DeKalbTeacher,
From the school council/governing board members I’ve talked to, 2 or 3 candidates make it to the school-level interview.
Can you give me a link ethics violations posted on Georgia PSC?
There is no way you can tell me Redan Middle vetted their applicants through a “4-step” process. Where are the artifacts? Look at the posting date. When were the applications reviewed? When were the applicants interviewed? They could not have. The timeframe from posting to selection was way too short. The only criteria she “stepped” to was with her sorority affiliation. Step 1. “D.” Step 2. “S.” and Step3. “T.”…….You get a job, you get a job and you get a job!!!! Stan, they are lying to you……. And yes, Dr. Booker left where I went ( to APS). But then again, he knows, “R.S.” He got the hookup before his departure. That is why I left DCSD.
I’m geographically removed from Redan. I can say “New Principal Top 4 Candidates ” was on the CCHS Governing Board Meeting – Agenda (June 19, 2017).
Stan,
The following new principals’ “resumes” indicate they have been APs in DCSD but the district doesn’t identify at which schools. Are any of them from failing schools in DCSD or from the schools where a principal was removed?
Marcus Kimber
Laura Baez
Marsha Sears
Sabrina Pressley
Karen Davis
Johnny Potter
Brandy Jermon
@AB, I did some basic Googling and found the following. I believe it to be correct, since these people are still listed on their former school’s website. I listed the 2016 CCRPIs from their former schools but I’m not sure it’s relevant.
Marcus Kimber is from Chapel MS, with 2016 CCRPI = 65.2. Going to Miller Grove MS.
Laura Baez is from Kingsley ES, with 2016 CCRPI = 75.6. Going to Montclair ES.
Marsha Sears is from Wynbrooke ES, with 2016 CCRPI = 74.4. Going to Murphey Candler ES.
Sabrina Pressley is from Redan MS, with 2016 CCRPI = 63.9. Going to Oak View ES.
Karen Davis is from Stone Mountain MS, with 2016 CCRPI = 60. Going to Redan MS.
Johnny Potter is from Peachcrest ES, with 2016 CCRPI = 44.1. Going to Snapfinger ES.
Brandy Jermon is from Woodridge ES, with 2016 CCRPI = 65. Remains at Woodridge ES as Principal.
Update of the employment status of the nine (9) principals that were demoted.
Zack Phillips – Early Childhood Coordinator
Ledra Jemison – Assistant Principal
Karen Williams – Assistant Principal
Ethan Suber – Assistant Principal
Rodney Mallory – Assistant Principal
Michael Williamson – Instructional Technology Manager
Terry Segovis – Retired
Sylvia Pilson – Retired
Dominique Drew-Terrell – Teacher Contract
Stan,
Do you have any information regarding why there hasn’t been a principal appointed for the International Student Center? As fas as I know, a retired former school administrator has been acting as an interim principal during the summer. If Segovis was demoted from ISC for “low scoring CCRPI reasons”, shouldn’t a new principal be in place so he/she can “magically” do the impossible and increase the CCRPI scores?
@Anonymous, Thanks for the research. Had checked the staff directory and they were already listed in their new principal assignments. Didn’t think to google them for old info. Glad to see none of them served under a principal that was removed. The scores aren’t anything to brag about at their former schools – time will tell if they can improve the failing schools they have been chosen to fix.
Dr. Ralph Simpson has accepted a Deputy Superintendent position with the Clayton County School System effective Monday, July 31, 2017. In preparation for school opening and to ensure operations run smoothly for Region 5, Dr. Green is making the following appointments effective Monday, July 31, 2017.
• Appointment of Dr. Bernetta Jones, Principal of Cedar Grove ES as Interim Regional Superintendent, Region 5
• Appointment of Mr. Norman Thomas, former principal of Meadowview ES as Principal, Cedar Grove ES
It is as bad as I feared. At least she used spellcheck.
Tucker High School PTSA’s post – PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
The district administration doesn’t give two farts in the wind about Tucker High. Why look for a competent principal when there are dozens of incompetent APs in the district who have put in their time and “deserve” a promotion?
So, grammar nazi that I am, I am going to applaud the thought that went into this and the seemingly sincere and encouraging message. I have received principals’ messages that were (more) grammatically correct but very detached and unemotional and altogether depressing and uninspiring. Of course, I don’t think grammatically correct AND inspiring is too much to ask for, but we are in DeKalb. With that said, I don’t know anything about this woman and her history in DeKalb.
THS has a legacy of great principals – the last one being one of the best (IMO), She is going to have a difficul time just because she isn’t Mr. Jackson. Regardless of who the principal is THS is still our school and I will do all I can to support her, the staff, faculty and students. Please forgive any grammer errrors I might have made in this post 🙂
“Brandy Jermon is from Woodridge ES, with 2016 CCRPI = 65. Remains at Woodridge ES as Principal.”
Ms. Jermon is an excellent hire. We spent three days working with her on curriculum and teaching strategies. Even at the end of long eight hour work sessions, her attitude was amazing. I would describe Ms. Jermon as positive, motivated, energetic, and knowledgeable.
I agree with Eric Green. I am also wondering how Stoneview, which is a failing school with many needs, ended up with a brand new principal with no experience as an assistant principal. She graduated from college in 2006 and within that time has been a teacher, counselor and coordinator. That tells me that she doesn’t really have any long term experience in any position. An extensive fact checker may reveal that the new principal was formally a coordinator of the GNETS program at school site in Clayton County with approx. 13 teachers. See Ash Street Center.
Does anyone know the Email address for Region 5 Interim Superintendent, Dr. Bernetta Jones? Oakview failed to educate last year, Cedar Grove is a continuation of that…so, we have no school to attend. We need answers, guidance, a plan and a school…..
@Sah,
It’s bernetta_jones@dekalbschoolsga.org.
Start looking at the School Choice options for your child.
Dr. Green will probably say that the new Principal at Oakview ES is his “answers, guidance, and plan” for Oakview. I would guess that Oakview is on the list of Turnaround Schools too, since its CCRPI has never been above 60.
Also, let your Board of Education members know of your concerns, and that you expect action.
Dr. Michael Erwin, michael_erwin@dekalbschoolsga.org, and Ms. Vickie Turner, vickie_turner@dekalbschoolsga.org, are the BOE members for the Cedar Grove cluster.
I checked the average teacher pay and years experience for Oakview ES. The 2015-16 data show that these are just slightly lower than for Montgomery ES, a high-performing school. Since Dr. Green instituted signing bonuses for Region 5 teachers last year, these factors may be equal. I compared Oakview ES with some of the other Region 5 elementary schools and the data show that average teacher pay and years experience are similar, although the average years of experience for Oakview (9 years) is the lowest. Maybe a better Principal/Leader will help there.
Thanks for your response. My son is now a 6th grader. We are on the list for 2 school choice schools (5th and 6th) but our home schoool, Cedar Grove is not an option…so my Son went no where today. I’m heading to the County office in a few, with the hope that they will give me some kind of an alternative to Cedar Grove…thanks for the BOE info, I wonder which one is mine or are both of them my reps?
@ Eric Green, have you ever even been inside of Stoneview? Have you every volunteered at the school? I bet you have not. None of the classes are over crowded and both ADA restrooms are complete.
Yes, the children do have challenges. Mr. Green you are not talking about that. Yes, some of the children do tear up classes, tear down bulletin boards, hit the staff members and others. Parents do come up to the school cursing the staff and threatening children that hit their children. These things that plague south end schools in certain communities. All of them are parenting issues not school issues. I will not address the family neighborhood issues that the school have to deal with.
A number of returning staff love the children. People like Mr. Jackson assistant principal goes over and beyond for the children. I was told that this is how he has been at all of his schools. Mr. Jackson has brought in sponsors to help the families in need, children receive bikes every year, and he probably used his own money to help the children. Some of the teachers do care for the children because they also use their personal resources for the children. A number of children and families are in need at the school.
Yes, Ms. Davis does need help. She has never been an administrator before. Why would they put her at Stoneview is beyond me. I can assure you that the parents would not choose a new principal without any experience of being an administrator. A seasoned administrator should have been placed at Stoneview. That may be why she is not visible in the school. Mr. Davis is in her office 95 percent of the day.
In closing Eric, why don’t you get a team of men to voleenteer at the school and during lunch time. Then you will get an opportunity to see the challenges this school face. Once the children disrespect or kick you in the leg. You will be talking a different time.
Hey, let’s not beat up the new principal. I believe that Ms. Davis is a well qualified person for this job. I think that if we give her a chance, she can really be good for the school. Don’t forgot it takes a village, we all have to do our part.
@Kim @Eric Green I think we need to give Mrs. Davis a chance as a Stoneview Parent of four years I have never seem the school ran so well. The building is finally cleaned, the AC is working, we have lights in all of the classrooms and a new staff that really cares about the students. Mrs. Davis greets all the students hello in the morning and goodbye in the afternoon. She has an open door policy which is why she is always in meetings with parents and community members. She is really trying and has a plan to make our school great. She is our choice and we support our principal. This is a tough school and before she came I was ready to pull my students out. What she needs is support.
Kim,
We do agree, the Principal @ Stoneview ES needs help. Be mindful, we are a group of concerned citizens and our information comes from parents and teachers. Yes, the students have challenges, but pretending as though they do not exist, is not the answer. The Principal does not have a strong administrative team. Look @ the scores from the climate evaluation of the school…this information is from the people that work there!!! Yes, the community should get involved..It’s time to stop making excuses for ineffective administrators and put the needs of the students first..By the way..check the dust, mold, insects, dilapidated tables and desks..the students deserve better..and the District has a Billion dollar budget!!!!
Tasha
We are in support of Principal Davis. We are hoping the District will give her the support she needs.
@Eric, you are clearly not a parent. You have to be Ms. Davis friend. You speak to highly about her. Guess you don’t know that she does not come out of her office. Only 2x for 15mins in the morning and afternoon. Do you think Ms. Davis will be an effective Principal and she have never been an administrator before? With all the issues the school is plagued with an inexperienced Principal can lead and move a school like Stoneview? All the previous Principals had challenges doing this and they were experienced.
Ms. Davis will have to prove herself to the parents, staff and students. Yes, she will need a ton of support. Just like the other principals needed at the school. However, it did not come. I have been a parent for over 10yrs at the school. I have seen a number of teacher, principals, assistant principals come through this school. The number is astounding.
Eric with your connection at the school are you aware of all the new teachers? Their are several new staff members. Over 25 plus new teachers. Ask the new teachers how they see the school. What you will get is a low climate score. Ask, Why? The challenges they face everyday with the children and parents.
Eric you clearly are not talking to the teachers or parents. Ask the real parents at Stoneview with children who have had kids for over a year at the school.
Have you ever been to Stoneview? Are you a parent? How can you give so much support to Ms . Davis and you didn’t give any support to the others. Interesting right. If you were a parent at the school you would see what I see.
Continue posting the wrong information and the he said she said Eric. BTW, the school will have low climate scores this school will always have a low score. All based on the challenges faced that other schools don’t face.
Eric, FYI, if you go by the parent center you can get all of your information.
I agree with Kim and Eric has no clue. We are in the 3rd month of school and Stoneview is totally chaotic I’ve never seen anything like it. They moved an experienced AP to the school who has a wealth of curriculum knowledge and ideas. Unfortunately, most of her day is tied up handling discipline. The building has about 26 new teachers to Stoneview and mostly new to the teaching profession. Teachers teach from behind their desks while kids are running around in their classrooms. Teachers walk at the beginning of the line and never look back to see the kids hitting each other in the back of the line. The kids are not motivated by the school-wide discipline plan despite the DOJO parties, and popcorn parties and pep rallies, etc. There is not enough supervision in the cafeteria during lunch. There maybe 2 or 3 adults on duty with close to 350 kids in the cafeteria. Kids are running around, throwing food, punching each other and 2 or 3 people can’t monitor that many kids. Safety is a huge concern. If that school had to evacuate during lunch time, there is no way possible the kids would get out of there safely. Kids are all over the building without supervision all of the time. There are so many classes where students are not receiving instruction but the principal has no idea because she does not walk the building nor does she help with any duties. Stoneview is a forgotten school that no one cares about despite the best effort of the few experienced staff members. Otherwise they would never have assigned a new principal with no experience to a school like Stoneview. I wonder who they are setting up for failure…the students, the teachers or the principal. That school can be considered as a career breaker.
I agree with Kim, Eric has no clue. We are in the 3rd month of school and Stoneview is totally chaotic. I’ve never seen anything like it. The school wasn’t this bad in previous years. The school has totally gone down this year. They moved an experienced AP to the school who has a wealth of curriculum knowledge and ideas. Unfortunately, most of her day is tied up handling discipline. The building has 26 new teachers to Stoneview and mostly new to the teaching profession. The teachers look they are drowning and don’t have a clue how to teach kids. Many of the teachers teach from behind their desks while kids are running around in their classrooms. Teachers walk at the beginning of the line and never look back to see the kids hitting each other in the back of the line. Teachers appear afraid of the kids because they don’t attempt to diffuse situations or attempt to redirect misbehavior as they pass kids in the hallways. Kids are getting hurt in their classrooms and kids play or fight in the bathrooms. The kids are not motivated by the school-wide discipline plan despite the DOJO parties, and popcorn parties and pep rallies, etc. There is not enough supervision in the cafeteria during lunch. There maybe 2 or 3 adults on duty with approximately 350 kids in the cafeteria from what I observed. Kids are running around, throwing food, punching each other and 2 or 3 people can’t monitor that many kids. Safety is a huge concern. If that school had to evacuate during lunch time, there is no way possible the kids would get out of there safely. Kids are all over the building without supervision all of the time. I observed one child running out of the building. I alerted a staff member who ran after him. Afternoon dismissal is chaotic as well. Kids are all over the building and running around outside. The fifth grade classes have too many students with too many discipline issues to be successful. There is one class that my child calls the ” Special Ed class. I walked by one day and the class was totally out of control. Kids were all over the class and running in and out of it. There are so many classes where students are not receiving instruction but the principal has no idea because she does not walk around the building nor does she help with any duties. Stoneview is a forgotten school that no one cares about despite the best effort of the few experienced staff members. Otherwise, they would never have assigned a brand, new principal with no AP experience to a school like Stoneview. I wonder who are they setting up for failure…the students, the teachers or the principal? Turing that school around will require an experienced principal, experienced teachers, experienced staff members, small classroom sizes and an officer or security personnel that is assigned to the school!
Dear Anonymous2,
Dr. Green reassigned the principal at Tucker High School after 3 stakeholders spoke (at a BOE meeting) in very strong language about what was going on at Tucker HS. What they said sounded similar to what you describe at Stoneview ES.
It shouldn’t require parents to speak out in order to fix a situation as bad as what you describe. But often teachers are too scared to report what is actually going on. Maybe the Regional Superintendent doesn’t know, or is also scared to report the situation.
Maybe your voice, and that of a few other parents and maybe a fifth grader or two, could make a change. If what you describe is accurate, this school is in dire need of an intervention.
Mr. Jester, I would like to commend you for keeping us informed in regard to Dekalb County Schools. I am glad to see Dr. Ralph Simpson, no longer is in Dekalb Schools. Where he threating to expel my son when he was 3rd grade at Narvie J Harris, because I question the Principal on giving him an in-school suspension when another student got out of line and ran up to my son, and he held up his knee to protect himself. That was the only time he did not receive the Principal list. Currently has a 4.2 GPA, made 30 on ACT and 3-year varsity football starter at Arabia Mountain and accepted to Vanderbilt.