A major issue with parents is that they only found out about the move yesterday via a short letter from the district, with a tone that was described as "cold" and without any clear reason for the mid-year transfer.
Ruth Medsker, the district's Instructional Director for middle schools, spoke with parents at the school this morning. Although media were not allowed to listen in, parents told us that Medsker agreed that the communication process was mishandled and said that she would take parents' concerns back to district leadership. She also said that she would "negotiate" to keep Principal Andrews at the school until July and avoid "plucking her out" of the school in a way that would be disruptive to learning.
A large group of students formed in a hallway while that meeting was going on, chanting "What do we want? Ms. Andrews! When do we want her? Now!", and "Keep Ms. Andrews! Keep Ms. Andrews!" A student also told the assembled group "[Principal Andrews] has helped me so much, and I hope you help her too." At one point Director Medsker came out of the library and asked the students to go back to class, but was met with an additional refrain of chants in support of the principal.
Madrona PTSA president Rita Sheckler stressed that parents have seen clear educational progress during Principal Andrews' 6-year tenure at the school, and they want to make sure that any staff changes are done carefully, transparently, and in a way that doesn't discourage or disenfranchise existing students within the school. Another parent told me that she has seen a historic lack of support for the school from the wealthier area around it, and is concerned that the strict new student assignment plan may be driving parents outside the school to seek disruptive changes to the way the school is run.
