Principals need to lead not appease

Modern parents expect schools to provide all the services that they deem important. They have been lead to believe that their children are entitled to the best education money can buy and their child's school experience should be defined by them not the school.

These unrealistic parent's expectations are the results of public schools that have promised whatever appeals to parents although schools are aware they are unable to deliver it with quality. The bottom line is the most efficient and effective administrator in any district would be incapable of insuring excellence in all the areas parents envision. The principal is forced into the role of chief appeaser.

Principals in our present school model have to be sufficiently flexible on standards to be selected and remain in the position. The principal realizes the standards will probably be altered depending on the future input of parents and teachers. A parent group may choose a particular colored uniform but if there are sufficient complaints the colors may be expanded or become optional.

This leading from behind decision making process is repeated for extra curricular activities, food menus, beverages served, tutor service, opening-closing hours of school. Even hard curriculum decisions such as courses, evaluating students and testing are directly influenced by the local reaction.

The running of a school by committee has had disastrous results. There is a constant shifting of direction according to the latest educational fad or a change in the makeup of the committee. It is like steering a ship without a captain, meandering and never reaching a predetermined destination. This process misses the important point that specifically stated goals are needed to measure the performance of the classroom teachers, the school and the principal.

Leaders cannot lead effectively when they are assigned responsibilities without being given the power to make important decisions. Principals have to have a vision and convince the participants that their program is a viable one. Only by communicating the plan for reaching stated goals can the principal be evaluated.

It is essential the principal be involved with devising or revising the objectives and operating procedures of the school to administer it properly. In order to convince students and parents of the quality of the programs the principal should be thoroughly knowledgeable and committed to the established policies.

For principals to do a credible job they need to have the respect of students, teachers and parents. They should be primarily judged on the functioning of the school not on their ability to schmooze the parents, students and teachers.

Our modern culture is placing too great an emphasis on principals being politically adroit with various segments of the school community. They are not putting enough emphasis on getting the job of educating our children done.

A principal, not the superintendent, is in the best position in our consolidated school districts to create a quality school as he has his hand on the pulse of the entire school. Raising students' academic achievement to the highest level possible takes more than being a charming politician. It takes a devoted person who does whatever is warranted to establish a safe, disciplined environment for learning.

Principals have the bully pulpit to bring together and inspire the entire school community. Parents should be put on notice that they do not have a blank check to educate their children according to their own daily whims.

Principals who are invested in their school's mission, practices and staff produce a school climate that results in high educational performance. The head of the school, like any coach, has to use his leadership skills to communicate and persuade all the school participants that his vision of how to obtain success for students will pay dividends.

This alliance with their child's teacher and trust in the administration assists their children more substantially than they could ever have thought possible. The faith of parents in the school creates a united front of the authorities in the child's life that will not allow the child to use excuses to play one authority figure off the other. It sends the students the message of stop complaining and get your best work done on time.

Being a principal should not be a political position. It should be a dedication to help our students be the best-educated people they can be. In order to become a reality this mission necessitates there has to be a leader to unite and maintain a quality school environment. It is the principal.