Search Begins for New Neelsville Middle School Principal

Judging from the Scantron sheets on top of the table, demand for number two pencils and the hesitance of participants to sit near the front, one would be forgiven to think a regular class is in session at Neelsville Middle School media center.

 Except it was no ordinary class. Parents and guardians were sitting behind desks, bubbling in the top five most desirable characteristics they would like to see in a new principal.

Montgomery County Public Schools Community Superintendent Darryl Williams, Director of School Performance Kathy Brake and School Improvement Specialist Barbara Freelander met with about 50 parents Tuesday following the departure of Dollye McClain.

According to Montgomery County Public Schools officials, McClain who had served the school for six years did not reapply for her position after her school failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress as required by No Child Left Behind education policies.

 Although the school met all its goals last year, federal guidelines require schools deemed to be in need of intervention meet all goals for two consecutive years before emerging from the category.

 At the meeting, parents lambasted school officials for not clearly communicating the process of removing McClain. They say the process was rushed and unfair to the outgoing principal and someone even suggested sending her a thank you card.

“Something is not right about the system and it shows in this room that something is not right,” Marlayna Proctor said to the officials, eliciting a round of applause from other parents. “If you have a principal that has been in the system for 26 years walking out the door in the middle of July where she has no opportunity to speak to anyone including children and staff, it is wrong. No matter what you say or what you put on that board right now it is wrong.”

After the meeting, Proctor said everyone at the school had a McClain story because the principal was accessible to parents and teachers. She remembered worrying about her son’s transition from elementary to middle school, and McClain taking time to explain the security systems and routines of the new school her son would be attending. Sarah Galvez, a Neelsville alumna, nodded too. McClain’s office was the first stop she made when she found out where she would be attending college.

Acknowledging the challenge of meeting AYP goals, Williams said restructuring the school leadership was not about individuals but rather schools and students.

Freelander said the school system is prepared for the transition of restructuring Neelsville. She said officials had called on other school systems to learn about their successes and challenges then created a plan they thought would work in the county. As part of the restructuring process, all remaining teaching staff will be required to make a three year commitment to the school, commit to professional development and work towards equity training for teachers who have not already done so. 

Interviews for the new principal will be held at Carver Educational Service Center in Rockville on Tuesday, July 19. A panel of interviewers consisting of six parents, six staff members and six central office representatives will interview candidates and make recommendations to the board of education. The successful candidate is expected to assume official position on July 26.