Six Principals Reshuffled

This is being done without good judgement. While I do not have issues with any of the administrators, there are bigger questions unanswered. The district is interviewing candidates for the following positions:

While reshuffling administrators is fine, did anyone at central office forget that Yolanda Jones-Generette was removed or "transferred" from not one but two schools--Lincoln Bassett and Barnard for lack of management skills. With a massive budget deficit and tax increase--you would think the district would be more interested in getting rid of dead weight instead of subjecting students and staff to ineptitude. It is reprehensible to think that this woman would be given another chance to lead a school when her past experiences have indicated she has not ability to unify a team and ensure New Haven students receive an appropriate and quality education.

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/principal_transferred_amid_lincoln-bassett_rescue_plan/

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/barnard_principal_to_transfer/

Shuffling chairs on the Titanic. How much of a different outcome did that make?

What about all the others down in central office who are administrators who are hidden? Look at those who are leaving who interviewed for positions to get passed over or pushed aside. The new principals, did they interview at these schools? How will this work with the stakeholders at these schools especially for those who are moving schools. These people are walking into buildings they don't know, with people that they don't know. They are going to need atleast the first 90 days, maybe more to get comfortable with the climate at the schools. How can they change the climate at the schools if necessary before they know the working of the schools. This should have been done much earlier. The AP at Bassett has been there for a few years and was the principal in effect for all last year, why not give her the proper title? I agree with Annie, what about the central office admins, where are they going? What about the teaching positions for next school year?

There were several interviews held at East Rock for the principal position by a selected team of parents, teachers, and administrators. Hours were spent discussing and scoring each candidate. Sabrina Breland was not one of the candidates. Why waste everyone's time and effort if the superintendent is just going to fill these positions with whoever she wants.
Very concerned!

NHPSPARENT:

If what you said is true, then we have a serious trust issue on our hands. The BOE cannot and should not allow Birks to dupe the East Rock parents in such a way.

Annie, It's true.They were all internal candidates. The current assistant principal also interviewed for the position.

I am also concerned. My son is a rising first grader at West Rock STREAM Academy (it is not the Author's Academy anymore). I initially had some misgivings about West Rock after learning that it was a turnaround school, but my son loves it there and he had a wonderful kindergarten year. Ms. Bannon is a strong leader that instituted many positive changes in the school, and now the powers that be are bumping her to Barnard?! It seems as though we're changing horses midstream, and that's not good for the kids. I am also concerned about Ms. Jones-Generette's past experiences...I agree with concerned_annex that it doesn't appear like she has the skills to do the job. I hope the board of ed does not approve these transfers.

Yes Annie this is true. There are teams that do interviews at each school. We got a new principal too. But not surprised. They pulled the same thing.. TWICE when looking for superintendent. They held meetings and had focus groups and then put in the already chosen candidate. SMH. The people who interview usually leave NH because they are being passed over

There were intensive interviews held for open positions. At which the interview committee needed to consist of a diverse group including staff, parents, community members and local
Business people.

No one who interviewed is on this list. Hours were spent on a fools errand just to go back to the old New Haven way.

Birks should have gotten to know NHPS before she made all these changes. There are qualified people working who are being shuffled, moved and displaced. How can New Haven keep a liability like Yolanda Gennerette? How can Birks make all these new positions and push out people who know New Haven. I have a feeling that the next round of hirings will consist of more sorority sisters and friends.
How are New Haven students being helped with this uncertainty. Mayo did nothing to help us in the past years. Birks is the nail in the coffin. If the budget is so bad maybe she needs to turn in the keys to her new car and give back some of her perks. Instead the people who actually are educating and working are left wondering where they will be in a year.

NHPS is about who you know, not what you do. There is no merit based decisions. Schools are divided, the staff is scared, Birks needs to go.

Congratulations to all the New Appointed Principals. This was Round 1 of some of the Principal changes in these schools. There's going to be another round of Administrative changes coming in August. That's really something to look forward to.

West Rock should buckle their seatbelts for this principal. Talk to anyone from Barnard and see what she did there before she was removed....

There are other toxic admins who need to go. While this is not a budget issue, the principals who have been poison at their schools must be held accountable for what they have done.
I hope Birks will have support to do the job she must do but it seems she does not. I just don't get it...

To all of the haters:
I am glad that Mrs. Generette is doing such a great job. Dr. Mayo, Mr. Harries and Dr. Burks have all hired and placed their trust in Mrs. Generette to do a fantastic job.
To those who believe in the lies and the false truths about Mrs. Generette, where is your proof, to say that she is an ineffective leader?
Many people who have worked in this school district, know the kind of woman that she is and what type of talent that she gives to her buildings. It is unfortunate, that some people who wish to still speak ill of Mrs. Generette, may not even know her or have seen her work in progress.
Mrs. Generette does that in getting the best out of not just her student's, but her staff as well.
Please show the proof where she has been ineffective, which is not there. I am sure that in any building or program that she has been asked to lead, things were turned around for the right reason.
People should really get to know a person, before they make assumptions about a person.
If people are talking about you Mrs. Generette, they must either be jealous or do not have anything good to say.

To heightsdad:

From the first thing that pops up when you Google her name (an article from this very site):

"Barnard Environmental teachers voted 36-3 that they do not have confidence in the leadership of Principal Yolanda Jones-Generette, who has encountered ongoing controversy at the two most recent schools she has helmed."

But I'm sure this is just some conspiracy by the teachers who worked directly under her. I'm sure they're all just "jealous" of her astounding managerial "skills".