Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site and Leadership Needs Analysis

March 17, 2015 Tatum Ridge Elementary School Principal Eric Jackson has been appointed as the new principal of Riverview High School effective July 1, 2015. As part of the district process for advertising the position and appointing a new principal for Tatum Ridge, district staff conducted a Site and Leadership Needs Analysis to receive input from the school parents and staff regarding their experiences at the school and their expectations of a new administrator. The analysis is intended to provide potential applicants for the principal position with some insights relative to instruction, management and school climate at Tatum Ridge from the perspective of parents and staff. The information was collected at a meeting and from questionnaires. A summary of the information gathered from both sources is contained in this report, which will be posted with the announcement of the job vacancy. The site analysis meeting was March 17, 2015, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Tatum Ridge Media Center. Parents and staff were invited by letter to attend the meeting. Parents and staff who could not attend the meeting were provided with a form they could use to submit written responses to the questions that were to be asked at the meeting. Those responses also have been included in the answers recorded for this report. Thirty-six parents and school staff members attended the meeting. Eleven submitted written response forms. One submitted responses by email. Executive Director of Elementary Schools Laura Kingsley welcomed the group and explained the purpose of the meeting. Human Resources Director Roy Sprinkle reviewed the process and timeline for appointing a new principal. Communications Director Gary Leatherman and Communications Specialist Scott Ferguson facilitated the meeting. Mr. Leatherman prepared this report. The participants were asked the following four questions: 1. What is going well? 2. What traditions, programs or activities should remain? 3. What challenges should the new principal expect? 4. What characteristics of a new principal will best fit Tatum Ridge in the areas of professional

experience, leadership style and personal qualities? A summary of the responses to each of the questions is presented below. All responses recorded during the site analysis and submitted on questionnaires are included as appendices to this report. Question 1: What is going well? Participants identified 36 things that are going well in regard to five major categories: programs, staff, administration, school environment and community. They are very proud of the level of student achievement at Tatum and the variety of programs that support student success. They appreciate the variety of after-school programs and the innovative instruction provided in special classes and academies.

Page 2 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 The group was very complimentary about the high quality of the teaching staff, noting that they are highly qualified, are very knowledgeable about state standards, and collaborate well with one another and with parents. They said the school administrators are visible in the school, communicate well with teachers, and are accessible and open. The school runs smoothly. The participants said the school environment is welcoming and positive to both students and parents, the students are well behaved and the school is orderly and clean. The school enjoys strong support from the community, including parents and business partners The flowing list of responses was organized and consolidated from the full list of responses in Appendix A: Question 1: What is going well?

Programs Student achievement is high Recognized as 5 star and A+ Opportunities for remediation and enrichment Innovative programs Scheduling Availability of after school programs and clubs Technology Media center availability STEM Academy All Specials Programs RTI and CARE process Eagle Academy Staff Grade level team collaboration Highly qualified staff/support staff Strong ESE team Respond to parents in a timely manner Teacher understanding of new state standards Excellent teaching staff

Administration Excellent administrative staff School runs smoothly Principal appreciates teachers Visible administration Open door policy with administration Communication between administration and staff Teacher time is respected School environment Welcoming, positive school environment for parents and students Children enjoy coming to school Well-behaved students School is orderly, clean and safe Community Very strong parental support base Community involvement and business partners Good school community

Question 2: What traditions, programs or activities should remain? The group identified 68 traditions, programs and activities that should continue at Tatum. Although there is considerable ambiguity in the assignment of items to categories, they fell roughly into the categories below. As with the responses to Question 1, the list was categorized and consolidated from the full list in Appendix B. The items are not in priority order.

Page 3 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 Question 2: What traditions, programs or activities should continue? Traditions Circle talks with Katy Fifth-grade graduation parade Friendly approachable leader Game night Golf Tournament Habits of mind Kindergarten Moving Up Lunch Bunch Meet and greet at dismissal and arrivals by administration Open door policy for classrooms Parental input Silent auction Staff and volunteer appreciation Staff pot luck lunches Storybook character parade Teacher request/choice Teaming-teaching opportunities Visibility, accessibility to principal and AP Walk child to classroom Programs Articulation meetings and rubrics Before/After School Care Cross grade-level collaboration among faculty Eagle Academy Eagle Outpost Gifted/Accelerated curriculum Grade-level programs Music Newsletter Odyssey of the Mind

PRIDE Specials wheel including Tech and Science STEM Academy Student recognition programs TNN-school news Yearbook Activities After school clubs Art Club Book Fair Carnival Dad’s club Drama Club Field Day Field trips Golf by First Tee Halloween parade Jog-a-thon Karate Keva Juice fundraiser Lemonade stand Mileage Club Movie night PTO sponsored events Recess Robotics Club Silent auction Slime time at Jog-a-thon Spirit Week Track Club Wax Museum

Question 3: What challenges should the new principal expect? The 37 responses to this question fell into four major areas of concern: staff, school, parents and students. Regarding staff, the participants made various references to issues that appeared to reflect on leadership such as rebuilding trust, improving morale, improving communication and favoritism. The participants also noted issues that reflected on staff, such as resistance to change. They said the new administrator will need to understand that the staff is hard-working and over-achieving, which creates a high level of stress to be managed. A common theme in the responses about the school was the frustration the participants have with the frequent turnover in principals and their hope that the next one will stay longer than a few years.

Page 4 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 They also recognized that the new principal will be challenged to manage the special academy programs, improve the school’s technology, and balance new initiatives with established practices. They also said some creative means need to be identified to keep gifted students at Tatum rather than transferring to Pine View. The group said parents are very involved at the school, which means the new principal will need to manage some very strong-willed, demanding parents. Finally, the participants said that the student body has a wide variety of issues and needs. The new principal will need to deal with an increasing number of behavior problems. The list of responses below was categorized and consolidated from the original list of responses in Appendix C. The list is not in priority order. Question 3: What challenges should the new principal expect? Staff Analyzing test data and helping teachers apply it Arranging appropriate professional development Budgeting funds for supplemental materials Building trust Cliques Creating cohesive teams Diverse personalities among staff members Knowledge of the importance of primary grade levels Looking at the whole child instead of what the parent wants for class assignments Poor communication with certain staff Rebuilding morale Resistance to change Understands staff is over achieving, hard-working, stressed out Students Dealing with increase of behavior issues Variety of student needs and issues

School Balance new initiatives with old ones Cafeteria Keeping gifted students here Parking lot traffic Protecting confidentiality Revolving door administration Technology Three schools in one (EAGLE, STEM, Regular) Too much change Too much emphasis on testing and teaching to the test Too much homework Parents Confrontation with parents Heavily involved parents High maintenance parents Lack of respect for working parents Strong willed teachers and parents Work with demanding parents.

Question 4: What characteristics of a new principal will best fit Tatum Ridge in the areas of professional experience, leadership style and personal qualities? This question was answered through a brainstorming process in which respondents randomly offered characteristics that were recorded on flip charts. After all of the recommended characteristics were recorded, participants each were given four sticky dots to place on the charts next to the characteristics they thought were most important.

Page 5 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015

The number of dots placed next to a characteristic is noted on the list below. The number reflects the priority the group gave each characteristic. No further priority was assigned to the items within each category. They are arranged alphabetically within the categories. The most important characteristic the group identified for a new principal was experience in elementary school at both the primary and intermediate grade levels. They also placed a high priority on the principal’s being supportive of teachers and their families. The third highest priority was the principal’s commitment to elementary school, which was explained as a commitment to remaining in an elementary principal position rather than using the job as a stepping stone to a higher salary at another grade level school. As with the other lists, the one below was consolidated from the original list recorded at the meeting and the written responses submitted. The original lists are presented as Appendix D to this report. Question 4: What characteristics of a new principal will best fit Tatum Ridge in the areas of professional experience, leadership style and personal qualities? (75 responses) Elementary experience at all levels 21 Supports teachers and their families 19 Committed to elementary 18 Doesn’t play favorites 6 Shared decision maker 5 Understands diverse needs of students 5 Trustworthy 5 Experience with non-traditional students 4 Kid friendly 4 Longevity 4 Strong 4 Approachable 3 Easygoing 3 Not a micromanager 3 Sense of humor 3 Supports staff 3 Fair 2 Integrity 2 Keeps up with current trends 2 Open minded 2 Respects different teaching styles 2 Active participant in committees 1 Current on best practices 1 Experienced with FL standards 1

Good communicator 1 Good listener 1 Hard worker 1 Instructional leader 1 Personable 1 Respectful 1 Visible 1 Attracts and retains high quality teachers Build a strong school community Can handle confrontation Confident Confidential Dependable Firm with parents Flexible High expectations Likes to work with parent volunteers Nurturing Organized Outgoing Professional Straightforward Supports differentiation Understanding

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Appendices The appendices below contain all of the responses that were submitted in the site analysis meeting and written responses with the exception of any that were disparaging of individuals or were otherwise inappropriate for inclusion in a job posting for a public agency. The responses are separated into those that were gathered during the site analysis meeting and those that were recorded from the questionnaires filled out by respondents who could not attend the meeting or preferred to submit their answers in writing. Those are identified as “Outside survey comments.” In Appendix D, the number to the right of a response indicates the number of participants besides the person who suggested a characteristic thought it was one of the top four most important characteristics. Appendix A Question 1: What is going well? (23 responses) Grade level team collaboration Very strong parental support base Visible administration Children enjoy coming to school Student achievement Highly qualified staff/support staff Strong ESE team Open door policy with administration Communication between administration and staff Parents feel welcomed by staff and administration Facilities are clean and safe Community involvement and business partners RTI and CARE process Recognized as 5 star and A+ Opportunities for remediation and enrichment Innovative programs Scheduling Availability of after school programs and clubs Respond to parents in a timely manner Teacher time is respected Technology Media center availability Teacher understanding of new state standards QUESTION 1 What's Going Well? Outside survey comments: (13 responses) STEM Academy All Specials Programs Excellent teaching staff

Page 7 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 Lately, nothing. Its been too much of a clique situation like before (the current principal). The favorites get first choice of everything. If I wasn’t zoned for Tatum or my personal situation, my child would be elsewhere. I think Mr. Jackson and his staff have done an excellent job and I am sure the new principal will see that right away and keep the positive momentum going by adding his/her new ideas that fit well with our school community. Teachers are happier within the Tatum environment then they were a few years ago. I think they feel Mr. Jackson appreciates and supports them. At the same time, I think the stress of testing is taking a toll on the teachers. I think they often find themselves doing things that they don’t believe in, in the name of higher test skills. School is orderly and clean. Students are expected to behave, teachers can teach without disruptive children. Lunch and recess are an enjoyable and needed break for most children. Good school community – families/parents, staff The existing Principal is running things very smoothly. He works together well with the staff to get things done in a calm quick manor. Eagle Academy I feel welcome at Tatum. Mr. Jackson is visible and greets students and parents daily. Teachers are knowledgeable and meet students’ needs and are available. Appendix B Question 2: What traditions, programs or activities should continue? (36 responses) TNN-school news Student recognition programs After school clubs (art, music, Spanish, mileage, robotics, cheerleading, karate, dance, rock climbing, drama, chess) Dad’s club Articulation meetings and rubrics Field Trips Specials wheel including Tech and Science Staff and volunteer appreciation Wax Museum Lemonade Stand Grade level programs STEM Jog a thon Cross grade level collaboration faculty meetings Staff luncheons-pot luck Game night Golf Tournament 5th grade graduation parade Storybook character parade Silent auction Keva Day Teaming opportunities for teaching Habits of mind PRIDE Eagle outpost Book Fair

Page 8 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 Yearbook EAGLE Academy PTO sponsored events Meet and Greet at dismissal and arrivals by administration Lunch Bunch Circle talks with Katy Kindergarten Moving Up Omers- Odyssey of the Mind Newsletter Carnival QUESTION 2 What traditions, programs or "Must Haves" should remain? (32 responses) Outside survey comments: Track Club Mileage Club Drama Club Before/After School Care Dad’s group Staff Appreciation Pride Karate Golf by First Tee Robotics Club TNN Music Art Club Field trips Keva Juice Fundraiser Movie Night Slime time at Jog-a-thon Silent Auction We hope that Tatum administration put together a gifted program in place and promote their idea through the School Board to add a middle school because our community could use it for sure. Recess is very important to kids and should be protected; minimizing (shortening or not having recess) may be a trend in some schools, but let’s not try it at Tatum – we love our kids. Being able to walk child to classroom in the morning Open door policy for (most) classrooms Visibility, accessibility to principal and AP Teacher request/choice Parental input Gifted/Accelerated curriculum Eagle Academy Stem Academy Friendly approachable leader I was hoping that the Halloween tradition could return to Tatum. I understand that the school used to celebrate Halloween with a costume parade and individual parties in classrooms. When I asked

Page 9 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 why the school no longer recognizes Halloween or hosts the costume parade, I was told that a couple of parents had indicated that Halloween was not a tradition that their families approved of and celebrated. There are plenty of personal and family conflicts at all levels, and this one shouldn't influence a school's decision not to recognize Halloween for the remaining 98% of the student population. From what I understand, if a student wanted to participate in the Halloween parade, they had to dress as a storybook character. I think this is a great way to promote literacy, creativity and imagination. I would take it a step further and require that the student bring in a book that includes the storybook character and also complete a book report, brief and simple for younger grades. The second tradition that I would like to recommend is Field Day. When I was in elementary school, students participated in a variety of athletics/sports similar to track and field events. Activities included long jump, high jump, hurdles, relay races, etc. It promoted fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship and camaraderie. Other fun activities such as three-legged races, sack races, egg tosses, etc. could be incorporated.

My last suggestion would be to have Spirit Week. For one week, students could dress in a different theme each day; pajama day, backwards day, professional/collegiate sports day, hat day, crazy sock day, etc. It seems as if the school has done some of these occasionally, but the students must pay $ in order to participate. I guess clubs use these opportunities for fundraising. I don't think this is fair to those students whose parents can't or don't want to pay for their child to wear crazy socks.

Appendix C

Question 3: What challenges should the new principal expect? (23 responses) Rebuilding morale High maintenance parents Building trust Revolving door administration Resistance to change Confrontation with parents about various issues Protecting confidentiality Technology Balance new initiatives with old ones Strong willed teachers and parents Cafeteria Keeping gifted students here Diverse personalities among staff members Analyzing new test data and helping teachers apply it Looking at the whole child instead of what the parent wants for class assignments Understands staff is over achieving, hard working, stressed out teachers TOO MUCH CHANGE Knowledge of the importance of primary grade levels Creating cohesive teams Dealing with increase of behavior issues Three schools in one (EAGLE, STEM, Regular) Arranging appropriate professional development Budgeting funds for supplemental materials

Page 10 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 QUESTION 3 What will be some of the challenges the principal will need to understand, seek resources, and take action? Outside survey comments: (14 responses) Students with wide variety of needs and issues. A group of strong volunteer moms. I think the SAHM are too “clicky” and get too much attention when the moms who have to work can’t be here as much. I think they get and take up too much time and dictate how classes/things should be run that they boss the other parents around as if we don’t know what the school rules are. Parking lot especially at parent pick-up. Traffic creates traffic jam on the street on a daily basis. Frustration with staff and parents over constant rotation of principals – no long term, consistent administration. Too much homework, at least for some classes/teams. Too much emphasis put on testing and teaching to the test, not enough holistic teaching. Get kids out of desks and away from worksheets. Look at more kinesthetic approaches. We need continuity. It would be a lot easier for a new principal if we could keep our AP for just one year!!!! Poor communication with certain staff. Heavily involved parents Being slimed Protecting our school Work with demanding parents. Appendix D Question 4: What characteristics of a new principal will best fit Tatum Ridge in the areas of professional experience, leadership style and personal qualities? (45 responses) Elementary Experience (primary/intermediate) 20 Committed to Elementary 18 Fairness 1 Not a micromanager 3 Easy Going Experience with non-traditional students 4 Good communicator Good listener Strong decision maker ”slimeable” Integrity 2 Honest Best of the best support staff 3 longevity 2 trustworthy 4 flexible sense of humor 2 invested 1 keeps up with current trends 2 Experienced with FL standards 1

Page 11 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 approachable (open door) 1 respectful loves AC hard worker understanding professional organized doesn’t play favorites 6 open minded 2 dependable shared decision maker 5 visible supports teacher and their own families 10 can handle confrontation researcher (shares info with staff) principal with kids kid friendly 2 straight forward strong leader Even keeled understands diverse needs of students 5 Respects different teaching styles 2 active participant in committees Whatever it takes to support teachers and staff 8 QUESTION 4 Leadership and Personal Qualities Outside survey comments: (30 responses) Leadership style that attracts and retains the high quality of teachers here. We love (the assistant principal) and think she would do a terrific job as well as provide consistency in the administrative staff office. Kind and gentle with kids. Firm with parents. Get rid of bossy mothers. Put an end to bullying. Great principals take responsibility for school success and lead teaching and learning. Great principals hire, develop and retain excellent teachers and build a strong school community. It would be nice to have a good principal who wants to stay at Tatum long term. A principal who understands the fine balance between educating and teaching kids the academic skills they need, but also recognize that these are CHILDREN and not MS or HS students, and they need to be nurtured as such is important. A principal who is current and has an understanding of curriculum and best teacher practices I know the teachers have enjoyed that Mr. Jackson is not a micro-manager, however, having a principal that will look over shoulders doesn’t hurt either to some degree. Strong Confident Loves children Good communicator

Page 12 of 12; Tatum Ridge Elementary School Site Analysis; March 17, 2015 Respects kids and parents and teachers Works hard, like (the current principal) Professional experience – background in elementary school, not higher levels. Leadership style – listen to teacher/staff and their concerns, use their input. Personal qualities – laid back, not take thinks personally, listen to concerns from parents. To be able to run the school and office in a calm professional manor together with the office staff – just like the existing principal does! Mr. Jackson is very nice and easy going and so should the new principal be! Friendly Outgoing personality Someone who likes to work with parent volunteers Site-based leadership Understanding and support of Differentiation Approachable Confidential Someone strong enough to take a stand when necessary A people person If you could find (the principal’s) clone, that would be fantastic!!! But in all seriousness, the qualities that (the principal) has are part of what make Tatum so great. He is personable, easy to approach, participatory/active/engaging, never shows sign stress or disappointment, plays fair, visible, committed....and the list goes on.

But one of the things I want to ensure that the new principal does is advocate for his/her staff AND the students and their families with equity and balance. I want teachers to be held accountable when they are not meeting expectations and needs of students and families. Teachers, especially those with tenure, need to be credible and held to high standards just like those new to the school district and still on probation or w/o tenure. If parents approach the teacher and school administration with concerns or issues, doubts should not be cast on the student and parents voicing a their concern. Just because the teacher has tenure and a successful track record, doesn't mean that there isn't a problem and that the concern shouldn't be addressed. I've seen and heard this happen during this school year, and it concerns me that such incidents were handled poorly or less than fairly.

Submitted 04/02/15 Gary Leatherman, Communications Director