The Alachua County School Board argued over administrative reassignments in a meeting Tuesday, nearly causing board members to walkout.
The discussion follows complaints and concerns shared through email and the meeting’s public comment portion. These concerns included the impact of frequent personnel changes on students and staff, specific administrative changes and the amplification of such change amid rezoning efforts.
Elizabeth Rogers, whose child attends Parker Elementary School, was among those who spoke during public comment.
Rogers said many of the school’s administrative staff have only been there for a year. Despite this, the district transferred the school’s principal, who has worked at the school for more than 30 years.
“I understand that personnel changes are complex and that change can be an important part of growth,” Rogers said. “However, I question whether so many significant changes occurring simultaneously will best serve our students.”
Rogers was not the only Parker Elementary School parent at Tuesday’s meeting.
Amanda Watson also attended and spoke during public comment about the principal’s reassignment.
“I would like to ask for transparency,” Watson said, “and some of the reasons why a principal with over 30 years of experience at that particular school would have been selected as part of the mass move of principals.”
The number of principal reassignments was not clearly outlined during the meeting but is estimated to be around 10, according to board member Janine Plavac.
Several board members said Superintendent Kamela Patton makes all administrative reassignments.
Board member Sarah Rockwell was among those who addressed administrative concerns.
While board members are responsible for approving the reassignments, Rockwell said, they’re given limited authority in challenging them.
“We vote to approve those appointments, but we are only allowed to object in cases of ‘good cause,’” Rockwell said, “where someone has engaged in extremely problematic behavior, does not have the credentials for the position that they're being appointed to, that sort of thing.”
Florida statute doesn’t allow board members to reject reappointments based on their own feelings about where administrators belong.
Still, some board members sought transparency in the decision-making process.
Plavac composed a list of questions meant to provide insight into the superintendent’s line of reasoning.
“What specific student outcome data informed your decision to reassign principals?” Plavac asked. “What measurable improvements for students do you expect these moves to produce, and how will we monitor whether these reassignments benefit students over the next year?”
Superintendent Patton denied Plavac’s request for transparency. She said the reasoning behind the decisions is confidential.
Reassignments were made due to personal requests, retirements, school closures and school conversions into pre-K through eighth grade schools, Patton said.
During the meeting, the board approved staff contract renewals. It will vote on staff reassignments at a future board meeting.
The next school board meeting will be held June 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Contact Grace Larson at glarson@alligator.org. Follow her on X @graceellarson.
Grace Larson is a second-year journalism student and this summer's metro editor. She previously worked as city/county commission reporter and K-12 education reporter for The Alligator. When she's not editing stories, Grace enjoys running, weightlifting and going on random side quests. If she's not at her desk, you can find her at any place offering free food and crafts.
