NHS will return to single principal structure

The leadership structure at Newberg High School will change from four principals to a single principal beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza made the announcement to the Newberg High School staff Wednesday afternoon.  She also addressed the high school configuration, saying she sees no compelling reason to change the small school structure at this time.

“The current high school leadership structure does not support effective leadership, teaching or learning,” said LeBlanc-Esparza. “This decision is not a reflection of the performance of the leadership capabilities of the four principals, but a by-product of the school structure.”

She counts a year and a half of extensive research, surveys, feedback from listening tour sessions with parents, staff, students and community plus her own personal experience, as the basis for her conclusion.

“What I believe about effective leadership is not in this structure,” says LeBlanc-Esparza. “Research and stakeholder feedback bear that out.”

Small schools have made a positive difference for Newberg High School students said LeBlanc-Esparza. She cites findings from the NHS student climate survey that point to increased student involvement, greater personalization, higher levels of satisfaction and improved discipline and behavior as examples.

The current leadership structure, however, is contributing to challenges to student success at the high school according to LeBlanc-Esparza.

“The high school lacks a clear vision,” says LeBlanc-Esparza. “Instead there are four visions of good instruction that lead to confusion among staff.

Multiple decision makers and inconsistent expectations around advisory and senior projects by students and parents contribute to a lack of direction, said LeBlanc-Esparza. The high school lacks a clear “go to” person responsible for school wide organizational decisions, communication and operations, resulting in confusion, redundancy and inefficiency she says.  LeBlanc-Esparza adds that in times of crisis, the chain of command is complicated by group decision-making when seconds count.

Newberg High School leadership will return to a model featuring a single principal and three assistant principals. Two of the assistant principals will each be responsible for managing two small schools. The third assistant principal will focus on teaching and learning.  The athletic director position remains unchanged.

The high school principal position will be advertised in January with a selection expected in late March. Stakeholders, including parents, students and staff, will be included in the process.

The new principal will participate in the placement of the assistant principals according to LeBlanc-Esparza.

“We have a relentless commitment to preparing students to be successful in the 21st century,” said LeBlanc-Esparza. “This is one of the first major steps in that direction.”