Blix Elementary teachers seek transparency after assistant principal reassignment

Alan Schleede, a fourth-grade teacher at Blix Elementary, urged the board for a clear explanation of the process used to move exempt administrators after community members raised concerns about the reassignment of Assistant Principal Terri Espinza.

"What I would like to know and what our Eastside community, I believe, deserves to know is what was the process behind this Advent change," Schleede said, asking who decides administrator moves and what community input is considered.

Why it matters: Schleede told the board the reassignment affects students, staff and a school community that, he said, has been reducing suspensions and working to serve a majority-students-of-color population. Teachers and parents told the board they want to understand whether personnel moves are driven solely by fiscal calculations or include equity and community input.

Supporting details: Schleede noted turnover at his school over five years, saying, "In my 5 years, I've had 3 different principals and 5 different combinations of assistant principals and principals in Blix." He asked the board to explain the district's process for exempt employees such as principals and assistant principals and whether community input and equity considerations factor into those decisions.

Next steps: Schleede asked the board to publish or describe the decision-making steps used when administrators are reassigned and to provide the research or community input that informed the district's decision.

Ending: Schleede closed by linking the matter to classroom outcomes and equity, imploring the board to provide transparency about a decision he said deeply affects students and families.