Ding Dong!

This year our high school had to move the 9th grade academy to the old high school (now a middle school) because of building space. This will be our new home for the next three, maybe four years, though we were originally promised only two. Anyway.

When we set up this situation, we were told that while we were part of the high school, we would be in the middle school building and that we would be treated, represented and included as part of the high school. OK.

The problem is 1) Out of Sight Out of Mind and 2) the Middle School Principal really didn't want us here.

The first issue was going to happen and most of us are okay with that in terms of how the high school views us. The second issue is a real problem. This principal made one agreement with the superintendent at the initial meeting between principals and then when she got back to her building instituted her own policies and 9th grade be damned.

Meanwhile the middle school staff has been very friendly, very welcoming as much as possible outside of what the principal expressly forbid (we can't use their library, staff water cooler or administrator's private bathroom). Many of us have even struck up some really close friendships and good professional relationships.

The principal remained an irritation. Her assistant principal (one of two) was wonderful. She worked well with those of us in 9th too. The principal found a way to get her fired last week. For many of us that was the last straw.

Apparently it was for the Board of Education too. They had already decided she wouldn't be here next year, but now for the last six weeks they have pulled her as well (This is a professional disgrace, there was no going away party and she cleaned out her office on Sunday when no one was here to watch). Our 9th Grade Assistant principal (that all of us, on both sides, adore) has been put over both groups. We are announcing it today in a quick meeting. Many of us are bringing cakes and other refreshments. The only thing missing is the munchkin music from the Wizard of Oz. That's okay, we are all singing it in our hearts.

It is sad to me though. To have worked your way up through administration and then be so incompetent that your people are literally celebrating your downfall. I'd like to believe that could never happen to me, that I would see where and when I was screwing up and fix it rather than thunder on blindly and alienate my entire staff and the staff next door (we are talking close to 200 people). Then again, I bet she never thought this would happen to her.

The point is, a cloud has lifted over our school and I can hear the music though the halls.

Ding, Dong, the witch is dead!