FLAWED PRINCIPAL SELECTION PROCESS AT BETHUNE ELEMENTARY

THE PRINCIPAL SELECTION PROCESS FOR CHOOSING BETHUNE ELEMENTARY’S PRINCIPAL IS FLAWED AS EVIDENCED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• MINIMAL REPRESENTATION

UP TO 15 STAKE HOLDERS COULD HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FROM A LARGE POOL OF ELIGIBLE MEMBERS FOR THE PRINCIPAL SELECTION COMMITTEE ( MANY OF THEM WILLING TEACHERS). YET, ONLY ONE CLASSROOM TEACHER WAS CHOSEN TO BE ON THE STAKEHOLDER PANEL. THIS SAME TEACHER ALSO SERVED IN THE CAPACITY OF UNION STEWARD AND AS AN UNOFFICIAL INTERPRETER.

• NO DISTRICT TRAINED HERITAGE LANGUAGE SUPPORT or ASSISTANCE PROVIDED (Section 9: Parent/Student Notification and Rights )

AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM, A NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING ESOL PARENT REQUIRED HER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS TO BE TRANSLATED. THIS SAME PARENT WAS LATER  CHOSEN FOR THE PRINCIPAL SELECTION STAKEHOLDER PANEL. HOWEVER, NO DISTRICT APPOINTED TRANSLATOR WAS PROVIDED FOR HER DURING  THE PRINCIPAL CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS. THE ONLY CLASSROOM TEACHER (ALSO THE BTU STEWARD AND NOT A NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKER) WAS HER INTERPRETER AND TRANSLATED FOR THE PARENT. AS A RESULT, HER ATTENTION WAS DIVIDED IN AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DISTRICT PROCESS. THE DISTRICT EMPLOYS FULL-TIME TRANSLATORS AND PROVIDES  THEM, NOT JUST FOR ESOL PARENTS, BUT FOR ESE STUDENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE HARD OF HEARING (evident at the School Board meeting). THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME FOR A DISTRICT TRAINED TRANSLATOR TO BE PROVIDED TO INTERPRET FOR THE PARENT AND THE PRINCIPAL CANDIDATES.

• A PUBLIC NEWSLETTER

THE RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE, MS. HAYNES, PUBLISHED A NEWSLETTER ON THE WEB, ADDRESSED TO THE BETHUNE FACULTY BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD HAD APPROVED HER RECOMMENDATION...WHEN THE BOARD MEMBERS AND DISTRICT WERE ALERTED IT WAS TAKEN DOWN.

• EVERY EFFORT WAS NOT MADE TO INFORM AND ORIENT PARENTS TO THE EMERGENCY COMMUNITY DISTRICT FORUM HELD AT BETHUNE.

THE DISTRICT CALLED FOR AN EMERGENCY 6:30 PM MEETING BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY MONDAY.  THERE WAS AMPLE TIME TO CONTACT PARENTS. YET THERE WAS NO PARENT LINK SENT OUT,  NO EMERGENCY FLYER SENT HOME WITH THE STUDENTS. THE ONLY COMMUNICATION WAS DURING INSTRUCTION, IN AN INTERNAL EMAIL (LIMITED TO FACULTY AND STAFF),  ANNOUNCING THIS MEETING. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A WORKING CLASS COMMUNITY IT IS COMPRISED OF PARENTS WHO CARE AND DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS AND OPINIONS IN THE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEIR CHILDREN.

• It is obvious that Ms. Alvarez has the support of the majority of teachers and  parents  as evidenced by the recent evening “Community” forum and a recent parent rally.

• It is also  evident that the selection process is being questioned as to it fairness and its flaws not only by parents but by the Media as well. http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2014/10/bethune-cookman_principal_draft.php

As a result of her influence, parents, students and faculty are beginning to develop trust. Another administrative change, is a transition that would deteriorate this climate of peace and earned trust. This change would undoubtedly, have a detrimental impact on the success of our students.

We realize there are still challenges ahead at Bethune, but the real work and growth has begun under the extensive experience and highly effective leadership of Ms. Alvarez. Her hard work and vision is paying off and we’ve begun to reap its benefits.

We believe Ms. Alvarez is implementing highly effective, leadership strategies and has made large strides in making Bethune a successful school. Her leadership efforts have resulted not only a positive response by the majority of our faculty, staff and community but also and most importantly they have made a genuine difference in the success and lives of our students. Behavior and attention to academics have shown measurable improvement.

How to ensure that we continue this path to healthy student success?

• You, our Superintendent and elected board, have the power to make a difference  by making the effective, popular and just decision. At Bethune Ms. Alvarez puts our children FIRST… we ask that you do the same.

Since there is evidence that the principal selection process is flawed. We, the undersigned, call on Superintendent runcie, to use his right to reverse the recommendation of ms. haynes and instead recommend to retain and appoint Ms. Alvarez as principal of Bethune Elementary School.


Please email the members of The School Board of Broward County. CALL MR. RUNCIE'S OFFICE AT 754-321-2600. FAX: 754-321-2701

FEEL FREE TO COPY OR READ ANY SECTION OF THIS PETITION.

Patricia Good - Chair                 patricia.good@browardschools.com                             Donna P. Korn - Vice Chair         donna.korn@browardschools.com
                      Robin Bartleman                          rbartleman@browardschools.com
                       Ann Murray                                 ann.murray@browardschools.com                  
Heather Brinkworth                     heather.brinkworth@browardschools.com                                                                                                                    Abby M. Freedman                     abby.freedman@browardschools.com                       Dr. Rosalind Osgood               rosalind.osgood@browardschools.com
                   Laurie Rich Levinson                  laurie.richlevinson@browardschools.com                   Nora Rupert                                 nora.rupert@browardschools.com