Until just a few months ago, Oakland High School HAD a caring, dedicated principal who’d been there for two years, gotten to know the school community, and was in a prime position to further excel as a leader. When Ms. Scott first arrived, by the way, she’d had to hit the ground running after [name your own melodramatic interpretation of that mess] just before the 2007-2008 school year began.

We also had Ms. Klaffky, whose pragmatism and good humor helped defuse many an explosion at O-Hi.

Both of these gifted ladies cared deeply about the children’s education and well-being. They made the safety of the school and our surrounding community a top priority. They were also decent, empathetic people who respected and supported the teachers. However chaotic their own day’s challenges (which were obviously formidable), they would make time to listen to faculty concerns, help get problems solved, and in the process, offer thanks and encouragement.

Any school would be fortunate to have such tireless and talented administrators, no?

AND THEN THE MARTIANS ATTACKED! That’s the only explanation that makes any sense.

So now Ms. Klaffky has left Oakland altogether. (Best of luck, Ms. K, and many thanks. You’re much appreciated by those of us who know a gem when we’re fortunate enough to see one.)

And Ms. Scott has been treated dreadfully, much to the shock and dismay of most of the faculty, who were neither consulted nor informed about these goings on before her departure was announced. Even more disturbing is how little information, much less opportunity for input, was granted the parents around here. My neighbors whose children attend Oakland High have been shaking their heads sadly at the news, and on the first day of school, the remaining adults up there can expect to be asked repeatedly, where in hell’s that nice principal?

That is, of course, unless somebody does the obviously wise thing and begs Ms. Scott to please, please come back. With sugar on top, a huge raise, and a Welcome Home party at which much joy, relief, and sanity will finally be had by all.

If it ain’t broke, folks, how about we don’t break it? Protecting and educating these children is challenge enough without turning our blessings into “problems.”

Walton, what are you basing that on? Sye was the unanimous pick of the selection committee from an extremely slim and inexperience application pool — very similar to what is happening this year.

Are you just going on hearsay, or is this Wendy’s line?

Honestly, I think they should leave the position to a current AP until they find a rock star with a successful background in a school like this one. If the AP thrives, then he — there’s only two, both male — can keep it.

When a high school is graduating half of its freshmen, the leader needs to be compensated and given a deep bench of administrative support. Having one solid AP and two useless AP’s does not work.

Mayor wasn’t willing to make hard calls with respect to SHS and whenever she intervened because of a parent or teacher complaint, kids got hurt. Sye would not have been hired had Mayor not intervened during the last hiring process. Here we are again.

Principals of big schools in OUSD do get paid more than small-school principals. 20% is my guess.

I ask only because it seems silly to me to have at least $750k budgeted in salary to three individuals while layoffs are being considered.

turner

Flint said Roberta Mayor did withdraw Lauren Klaffky’s name before the appointment became official, but at Klaffky’s request, and before the board meeting in question.