After a recent promotion of Curtis Douglas to cluster superintendent, North Atlanta is now in search of a new permanent principal. In order to hear all perspectives and gain a holistic understanding of the evolving demands of the position, North Atlanta hosted a “Principals Search Meeting.” The meeting offered students, teachers, and parents an opportunity to voice what attributes and policy beliefs they want in a principal.
Any functioning school has a stable and strong leader who fosters a positive learning environment and implements policies effectively. Accordingly, the meeting featured posters which highlighted certain traits, and anyone attending the meeting could pick which ones they desired most in the new principle.
It’s important to note a likely candidate is interim principal Dr. Mitchell, who has effectively led the school since Douglas’s departure late last year. Douglas was at the meeting to oversee the process and guide the conversation. This initial meeting was phase one of six, according to a member of North Atlanta Student Body Government.
Phase one’s goal was to hear a variety of perspectives on what characteristics North Atlanta’s new principal should have. Highly involved students at North Atlanta were offered an opportunity to visit the meeting. Junior Alexander Chalk, the vice-president of SGA, said the meeting “really helped students like me to feel like we were involved in the principal choosing process and provided insight into how administrators are chosen for our school.”
Parents had an opportunity to speak in the afternoon, after the students went. The meeting featured aspects of an online survey that shaped discussion during the meeting. “By participating in small group discussions, we were able to share our thoughts and listen to others,” said parent Laura Collins. “We all contributed to a well-rounded conversation about the needs and priorities of our school’s next leader.”
Of course, it was prudent for teachers to voice their opinions as well, so after school another session was held to give teachers the opportunity to interact with the team running the meeting. A freshman math teacher who preferred to stay anonymous said, “We were able to ask questions that gave us a clear understanding of the process in which they are finding the new principal. Personally, the details of the meeting were informational and helpful.”
North Atlanta’s plan to find a new principal is a deliberate and focused process. Our new principal is set to be in the position for the long run, and finding the perfect fit for the North Atlanta cluster will be an important stepping stone for the trajectory of this school.
