Personnel Changes Roil School District: South County Union Tribune Letter to Editor March 21

The article “Administrators moved around to new schools” (March 12) contains points that need to be clarified.

The termination of the contracts of Karen Janney and Dianna Carberry, assistant superintendents, were not part of the Sweetwater district office reorganization chart (the vehicle for cutting the district level budget). The chart clearly still shows the two assistant superintendent positions.

Although the superintendent has implied that these moves are due to budgetary reasons, an examination of the consequences of the move does not bear that out. The two assistant superintendents will continue to receive their salaries, per contract. The principal leaving Montgomery will continue to receive his salary while doing “special projects” at the district. The principal moving to Montgomery will be receiving a pay raise. So where is the savings?

Meanwhile, schools and the district office have been thrown into turmoil and shock with the sudden changes of leadership. No plans were in place for a smooth transition. In fact, the assistant superintendents were not even informed of their demotion until two hours before the board meeting.

This disruption of services comes at a critical time. The district and six schools are striving to exit Program Improvement. A common calendar, which is a project Karen Janney had been leading, is being implemented. Twelve high schools are going through WASC Accreditation. In fact, the accreditation team at a high school affected by the principal changes had, just two weeks earlier, recommended more administrative stability at the school.

It is time to put students above politics. The school board was elected to represent their constituents in district decisions. We hope the board will reconsider recent decisions in light of new information and the rising levels of dissatisfaction within the district.

NANCY STUBBS
Chula Vista