Introduction

Four years ago, the School Board of Wingfield School District established a mission and vision for the district to be technologically driven and innovative. Both the Board and the community felt that technology driven curriculum and instruction would directly impact student achievement by significantly raising student standardized test scores and producing students with critical thinking and technological skills. Last year, the Board and Superintendent’s initial step in moving toward this goal was hiring Principal, Jim O’Connor. The Board determined that the focus of the reforms was to be school-based and would begin at Hickory Ridge High School. Jim O’Connor would lead the reform movement at Hickory Ridge High.

As the superintendent of the district, I have collected data and monitored the progress of Hickory Ridge High in its movement toward meeting the goals of an innovative and technologically driven school with high achieving students. The high school began with formulating a mission and vision for the school. Stakeholders, including Board members, teachers, administrators, and parents participated in and supported the reforms.

Implementation of school reform began with a core of Hickory teachers selected to participate in technology based industry tours and attend training on the implementation of pilot programs in other schools. The groundwork was established, but the teachers and administrators are in disagreement about the best means to proceed. After one year, Hickory High has been unable to meet the new reform guidelines. The actual computer usage by students and teachers has been disappointing. Standardized test scores were slightly higher last year but some students scored in the bottom quartile. In addition, the high school has increased enrollment with a number of recent immigrants bringing new needs and challenges to Hickory Ridge High School.

Hickory Ridge High has a high percentage of aging veteran teachers. In order to promote school reform, I placed 27 new teachers at Hickory Ridge, all with strong technology skills and high potential. It was assumed that the veteran teachers would assist the new teachers with instructional skills and strategies and the new teachers would help the veteran teachers advance their technology skills. Unfortunately, the plan and collaboration among the groups did not materialize. Many of the new teachers are complaining about principal O’Connor and the veteran teachers. They find them out of touch with modern times, bureaucratic and overly concerned about the community and parents. They are worried that the principal and veteran teachers will hold back their careers. Principal O’Connor complains that the new teachers are inexperienced and lack knowledge about the history of the school, students, parents, and the community.

These conflicts between staff members, the principal, and the community are forming divisions between the older and younger staff. The staff at Hickory Ridge High School demonstrates a lack of adherence to the district's vision of being technologically driven and innovative. They also lack teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration toward colleagues and administration. However, I firmly believe that the principal and teachers have the knowledge, experience and skills to be successful in reforming the school. I am committed to helping Principal O'Connor gain the respect of all faculty and will work with him in implementing the following plans: mission/vision statements that align with the district's vision
 * support the principal as he works with all stakeholders in the development of new
 * pair a mentor principal with Mr. O'Connor
 * work with the principal to develop strategies/staff development opportunities fostering teamwork


 * work with Principal O'Connor on building an innovative and technology driven high school