Stoddert Opts for New Principal Over Retaining Interim Principal

Stoddert Elementary's Interim Principal Patricia Pride will not be returning to the school for the 2013-2014 year, but it is still unclear who will lead the Glover Park elementary school.

A panel of teachers and parents at Stoddert Elementary preferred a candidate other than Pride during a recent selection process, but for reasons not explained by D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) the preferred candidate is potentially unavailable.

Pride was appointed as the interim principal last summer after the chancellor abruptly called off a selection panel that formed hastily after the resignation of long-time principal Dr. Marjorie Cuthbert. She was one of three candidates the panel interviewed for the permanent principal spot.

Patch inquired about the number of candidates interview in the first place and how those individuals were selected. DCPS did not answer either question in a response sent to Patch via email Friday.

DCPS spokeperson Melissa Salmanowitz did confirm that the panel would interview additional candidates and called the effort to find a permanent principal "ongoing."

Now the principal panel is again tasked with interviewing candidates to take on the principal position.

The decision comes at a critical juncture at the growing school. With huge demand from in-boundary students, the school leader will have to juggle and reassign teachers to different grades to meet the need of each grade level.

"Finding the right person to lead Stoddert is everyone’s shared priority. The Chancellor has been very responsive to the community’s feedback, which is evident in what’s currently happening in the process. We encourage the community to continue to give feedback through the process and we look forward to hearing their insights," wrote Salmanowitz.

What do you think about the selection process? What kind of leader do you want for Stoddert? Tell us in the comments.

Related Articles:

• Stoddert Re-Initiates Principal Search
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• Patricia Pride will be Interim Stoddert Principal