New position creates concern
The principal accused of grabbing a teacher's arm during an argument has been moved to an assistant principal position in a downtown school, and that decision has frustrated some who say peninsula schools should not be treated as a "dumping ground."
Former Jane Edwards Elementary School Principal Christy Thompson did not return to her position as the school's top leader after a confrontation with a teacher. Thompson still faces a criminal charge of simple assault and is scheduled to have a hearing next week.
Before that, Thompson had faced criticism from the school's faculty, and after her first year on the job, 11 of the school's 15 teachers did not return. She has been moved to the assistant principal position at Charleston Progressive Academy. Thompson did not respond to requests for an interview.
Previous stories
Teacher accuses principal of assault; Dispute arose over evaluation; school head placed on paid leave, published 03/21/08
Principal accused of assault not returning to post, published 05/09/08
Schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley said the decision to move Thompson from the Edisto Island school was a personnel decision that had nothing to do with any legal proceedings. If McGinley didn't think Thompson would be valuable to the school, she wouldn't have made the decision to send her there, she said.
"I absolutely think it's going to be a positive addition to have an experienced administrator heading up, or at least putting in additional support, for middle grades," McGinley said.
Thompson is entitled to her day in court, McGinley said, and if anything transpires there, she'd look at the situation again. The school district isn't going to jeopardize someone's ability to continue earning a living in a role they are capable of unless they're proved guilty, she said.
Downtown constituent board Vice Chairman Marvin Stewart said he doesn't know Thompson, so his concerns weren't based on her personally. The issue is the perception that she was forced out of one school and the only place suitable for her was the "dumping ground" of the low-performing schools on the peninsula, he said.
Stewart questioned why Thompson was placed downtown instead of another area, such as Mount Pleasant or West Ashley. Had Thompson been placed elsewhere, parents could conceivably be up in arms, he said. Charleston Progressive parents and the downtown community were not talked to about this decision, and Stewart said it's a mistake to assume the school will "just accept mediocrity."
"I don't think it's an accident that District 20 (downtown) was selected as the place to place this individual," he said.
For the past few years, downtown residents have asked for Charleston Progressive to be given an assistant principal. McGinley said the school was not entitled to the position by the formula used to assign employees to schools, but she made the decision to give the school the extra administrator because of the addition of seventh and eighth grades as well as the school's needs. She said the decision had nothing to do with a complaint that has been filed in the federal Office of Civil Rights involving Charleston Progressive.
Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
moonpie (anonymous) says...
That McGinley she sure puts a positive spin on things doesn't she. I know she is trying but two administrators couldn't right this ship.
August 9, 2008 at 6:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately, this is business as usual for CCSD. This won't be the last time we hear about Ms. Thompson...sigh.
August 9, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
You would be surprised at how many stories like this one don't make the news. There are some really BAD administrators out there who use fear and intimidation to "get the job done."
Let's see how this one plays out.
August 9, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wonderdog (anonymous) says...
Another glaring example of mismanagement in the CCSD.
August 9, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ThinkAboutThis (anonymous) says...
Can't people stay focused on the real issues at hand- educating the students!
We don't konw what happened in this instance but I can say many teachers get "comfortable" in their job and don't keep the standards high. A new principal comes in and wants to make change and then is noted as the "bad" guy!
Maybe this principal was just guiding the school and teachers back to a level of high standards and out of their "comfort" zone!
Principals are not their to be a best friend, they are there to do the job of educating the students and so should be respected and supported for doing so and vice versa!
It's not about the teachers, it's about the students and their education. Yes, there needs to be respect within the staff to work well together, it's a team effort, but sometimes change needs to be made and accepted from all involved.
What's the school like, the test scores, grades, etc. If they are not up to standards then change is needed and that would be change in the classroom, teacher's, and education provided to the students!!
I like the educational systems that hold teachers accountable- if weekly test scores are reviewed and monitored and the grades are not there- then the teacher best have valid reasons for why the studnents are not learning and producing passing scores! Teachers who make excuses and blame the students for failing should not be teaching, in my opinion!!
August 9, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
just1reader (anonymous) says...
If she is found guilty she should be fired, but will McGinley have the guts to do that? NOT!!!
August 9, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bjp99 (anonymous) says...
Think about this...there is a legal case pending against her with proof...it isn't just hear say about what Ms. Thompson did...
As a teacher, I do agree with you that teacher's should be held accountable. As should some slack parents who don't do anything to help their child succeed. Students should also be held accountable for their academic performance and behavior. Far too often the accountablity only falls on the teacher. In order for change to happen, this mindset needs to change.
Ashley...can you elaborate on what you mean by:
"And how about the teachers who are always selling things to students and their parents? What's that all about? Isn't that a breach of public trust?"
I am not sure what you are implying that we sell to parents.
August 9, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
belovedbliff (anonymous) says...
This is not surprising at all--downtown principals refer to black children as the "n" word, use profanity, and profane gestures. It's par for the course. McGinley knows about all of this, too. Stewart is right--the downtown schools (or black schools) are dumping grounds.
Look at what happened at Burke High last year--an incompetent principal was demoted and assigned to a failing black middle school (Brentwood) in a lesser capacity.
August 9, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Human77 (anonymous) says...
Another negative article about CCSD. Perhaps one day the media will print something positive, dare to dream.
August 9, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
That principal should have been suspended until the out come of her criminal trail and if found guilty, fired
August 10, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
belovedbliff (anonymous) says...
I wonder what the district's policy is on workplace violence.
August 10, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stillcare (anonymous) says...
As former teachers at Jane Edwards Elementary School, we did go through all of the proper CCSD channels and only received lip service from the district. Ms. Thompson is a misguided dictator who rules through intimidation and deception. Everyone should be curious as to her dealings with Mr. Earl Choice, the "retired" area superintendent and Martin Williams, now under investigation by SLED for questions concerning funds in the CCSD. We miss and love the children and families of Edisto Island and wish them only the best.
August 10, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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