Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - The role of a school principal has changed over the years.
Monday, Whitko principals Ruth Jones, Pierceton Elementary School, and Barb Flory, South Whitley Elementary School, gave the Whitko School Board a presentation on how the principal's role has changed.
Jones said the traditional role of the principal was the daily management of a school building. Today, a principal's role includes developing and maintaining strong academic standards; announcing high marks on standardized tests; hiring, mentoring and retaining qualified teachers; being updated on the latest research and best knowledge about teaching and learning; training teachers in the best practices; facilitating curriculum alignment; disaggregating data; giving staff the capacity to continue school improvement; and overseeing efficient and effective daily management of the school.
There are eight conditions that define a healthy school culture, said Flory. Those include: a sense of belonging; having and being heroes; a sense of accomplishment; fun and excitement; curiosity and creativity; spirit of adventure; leadership and responsibility; and confidence to take action.
The evolving phases of school improvement, said Jones, are an understanding of self and clarity of values; strong belief in equity and the democratic process; strategic thought about the evolution of school improvement; a vulnerable persona; knowledge of the work of teaching and learning; and the ability to develop capacity in an organization.
Jones said the leadership for lasting reform for educational leadership has three phases - instructive, transitional and high leadership capacity.
In other business, the school board:
• Heard a presentation by SWES staff members on the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development conference they attended.
• Heard a presentation by each building principal on their Public Law 221 revisions.
• Approved a bid from Pedigrew & Sons for $147,171 for roof work at PES.
• Approved for Whitko Schools to participate in the NIESC Region 7 cooperative purchasing program for milk and dairy products, bread and bakery products and cafeteria food and supplies.
• Approved to advertise for bids for performance contracting for renovation work at Whitko High School.
• Approved the 2005 summer learning programs.
• Approved the Whitko Middle School and high school science and health textbook adoptions.
• Approved the retirement of Dennis Rowland as a teacher at SWES and Carolyn Buckmaster as the corporation media specialist.
• Approved the resignation of Kate Mann as a teacher at PES.
Members of the Whitko School Board are Dave Tranter, Hal Trump, Pete Mitchell, E. Marie Trump and Michael Braddock. Their next meeting is May 16 at South Whitley Elementary School at 7:30 p.m.
