Lake Weir staff criticize district communication after principal reassignment; board approves personnel packet

Teachers and parents from Lake Weir Middle School and Lake Weir High School told the Marion County School Board on May 27 that they were upset about how district leaders announced principal reassignments this month, saying staff learned of the moves through leaks rather than official channels.

The comments came during the public-comment period, where Narvela Haynes, who identified herself as a district resident, said, "This is not transparency," and described staff learning of the reassignment by phone calls and rumors before an official announcement. Anthony Hartwell Brown and Tyler Walker, both identified as Lake Weir educators, said the lack of timely notice caused anxiety among staff and could hurt morale.

The board had the personnel packet on the agenda as item 19.2. Board members said personnel decisions are made on the superintendent's recommendation, but several members acknowledged the communication problem the speakers described. Attorney Jeremy Powers told the board that the superintendent makes personnel recommendations and that the board's role is to approve or reject them.

Despite the public comments, the board voted 5-0 to approve the personnel items on the administrative personnel list. Board members reiterated they could not disclose confidential personnel details but said they would press district leadership to improve how and when affected staff are informed.

"We heard tonight that staff felt blindsided," Board Member Diane Gullett said while addressing the public comments, adding that supervisors should strike a balance between confidentiality and timely notification. Several board members urged staff to contact central office leaders with concerns and said they would work to improve internal communications.

The action approved the superintendent's personnel recommendations as presented. Several speakers asked that future administrative transfers be timed or communicated so that employees learn about changes before the public does; board members said they will raise those concerns with district leadership.

The exchange followed a broader personnel discussion earlier in the meeting, when the board reconsidered and then approved a change to the central office staffing plan and an administrative job description (see related article on crisis-response coordinator).