Glencoe Elementary School Parents Fume Over Principal Switcheroo

Glencoe Elementary School parents are furious about the unexpected departure of a newly hired principal, whose sudden exit will leave the Southeast Portland school with five different principals in a 15-month period.

Their anger points to a larger problem in Portland Public Schools: Constant shuffling of principals among district schools undermines schools' stability and erodes relationships.

In fewer words: PPS is giving parents, teachers and students whiplash.

"I don't understand the decision-making that's happening with the superintendent," says Kathleen Jahn, a Glencoe parent who also teaches at Beach K-8 School in North Portland. "I'd like to know more, and it's hard to get answers."

The changes at Glencoe, which draws middle-class families from the Mt. Tabor area, started in July when former Principal Ewan Brawley got promoted to a position in PPS's central office. After a search, PPS hired Samantha Ragaisis from the Salem-Keizer School District.

Ragaisis lasted until today—her last day at Glencoe. On Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Carole Smith announced in an email to Glencoe parents that she was moving Ragaisis to James John Elementary and sending James John's principal, Beth Shelby, to Glencoe. 

"I recognize that this is sudden news," Smith wrote in the email. "However, we are seizing an opportunity that we believe will create a strong fit for both school communities and best serve students this school year."

However, Shelby won't start at Glencoe right away. She's now on medical leave for four to eight weeks, according to the district's announcement on Thursday. So another principal will sub for Shelby until she returns, perhaps in November. And because Shelby plans to retire in June, the school will have to search for a fifth principal in 15 months.

And that might not be the end of the uproar. Research shows turnover among teachers increases when principals change. 

About a quarter of PPS schools experienced principal turnover this year. That's in keeping with annual turnover rates for principals in other large districts, according to the Center for Public Education, which says the rate typically hovers between 15 and 30 percent.

Portland Public Schools' Board of Education values longevity. When the board approved Smith's 28 percent raise in August, her seven-year tenure was a key factor.

More focus should be on principals, parents say. 

"It seems like they'd want to keep principals in place, too," Jahn said.

WWeek 2015