Principals talk publicly about stability for Metro schools

Newly assigned Whites Creek High Principal Karl Lang answers questions from reportorters. Also answering questions were (from left) Director of Metro Schools Jesse Register, Glencliff High Principal Tony Majors, newly hired McGavock Principal Robbin Wall and newly hired East Literature Principal Stephen Ball. Photo by Joon Powell for The City Paper

In a rare public roundtable event with district employees, Metro Nashville Public Schools’ officials brought together a group of newly assigned high school principals — some of whom are new to MNPS, and some who aren’t — to tell news reporters about what to expect at schools this fall.

The roundtable discussion on Wednesday was open to the public, but reporters only were notified of the event a few hours before it began, not allowing much time for publicity. District officials say the event, held  at the district offices on Bransford Avenue, came together quickly as a result of several people being in town at the same time.

Director of Schools Jesse Register, MNPS Associate Superintendent Jim Briggs, district consultant Bill Warren, and five Metro principals talked about the need to reform high schools and foster stability. MNPS is also, Register said, in the midst of an overhaul of disciplinary processes that will be complete by the start of this coming school year.

He said MNPS officials have to walk a “tightrope” as they assign the best people to the most appropriate positions, while also cultivating continuity for students, parents and staff.

“We have to create that new sense of stability,” Register said. “I think we’re putting the right people in the right places.”

New-to-district principals Robbin Wall and Stephen Ball, who will take over the respective helms of McGavock and East Literature Magnet high schools this fall, were among the principals gathered.

Though Register has said publicly that he hopes to keep most principal placements in the district as stable as possible this year, MNPS is in the midst of big personnel shifts due to the implementation of the rezoning plan, the fresh-starting of several schools, a reorganization of the central office, and other shifts.

Register has said he hopes to announce most personnel changes by the end of this month.

In the past few weeks, the district has announced new principals for two new adult high schools, eight middle schools, 15 elementary schools, and three high schools.