Is Skelly Next?

Have more or less people "retired" pre-Skelly? I am not impressed with Skelly. He claimed he would bring transparency to PAUSD but has not. He allowed the district to adopt a terrible elementary math program which he experienced in his past school district and did not endorse when he was there. He has done nothing to address academic stress such as final exams before Winter Break, later school start, or other ways to reduce academic stress which have been researched. Lectures to parents on how to spot depression is not enough - more counselors to help students is not enough. Stress needs to be reduced BEFORE students become depressed. Just what has he done for PAUSD?

A lot!

My sense is that we will see a lot of very talented and capable elected and appointed officials at the local, state and national level resign this year. Our entire political and financial system is collapsing and the real good people are smart enough to recognize this and get out before it all crumbles.

No one will admit it but when this many people leave any organization, it's because they do not like, respect, or want to work under the boss. I sense that's the case here. This kind of turnover is a huge concern for PA Schools. Skelley needs to address it and stop hiding behind a smile and promises.

I think Dr. Skelly is doing a great job leading our district. Many of these retirements are truly that and the whole country will see more administrators and teacher retire as the baby boomers age into retirement age. And some are leaving because they are not the type of person we need in PAUSD.

BTW Mom - I think moving finals to before break is being discussed at the Board level (but would probably require an earlier school start in August, which is protested by parents who do not have high school age students), both proposed schedule changes for next year at Paly have a later start time, but we could certainly do a lot more to lessen stress for our students.

People leave managers, not companies/schools. Given the numbers, it woueld seem that he's winning over more parents than administrators.

If he values his job, he'd beat have either 1) a dream team of replacements ready or 2) the ability to staunch the flow of "retiring" administrators.

Sure, he's got a good smile, but I've known a lot of handsome yet defective managers in my day.

palo alto mom,

"And some are leaving because they are not the type of person we need in PAUSD."

I recall hearing that kind of stuff at a company I once worked for, shortly before it imploded

Let's see -

Paly principal - driven out by parents
Gunn principal - 4 suicides (tragic, but the result of mental illness and a suicide cluster), plus death of close family members, plus a retired husband. A shame, she is a good egg.
Terman principal - she is ok, but I do not think has many big fans at the school

The district staff I imagine that some turnover is driven by Skelly (and some not), but I don't assume the people leaving were perfect either. I would worry more if no-one left; some turnover in the senior ranks is a good thing.

Good leadership in a successful organization like PAUSD is in large part just keeping down the drama (and managing it when it occurs) and allowing the good people to do their jobs. I don't look for "big accomplishments" from PAUSD - the big accomplishment for the next few years will just be managing the budget (perhaps itself a cause of retirement) and continuing to hire good people. Interestingly, Skelly presents some (many?) of the building improvements as necessary to attract / retain good teachers.

While he probably has more turnover than he'd like for one year, I guess I'd look for something actually broken than this kind of indirect sign. I have heard nothing. As for replacing him at this point - that would make George Steinbrenner look like a good employer. I'm sure candidates would flock to work in the district that fired Kevin Skelly because some administrators retired!

Another mom

Regarding staff leaving because they were not a good match with PAUSD and your comment "I recall hearing that kind of stuff at a company I once worked for, shortly before it imploded" And I've been at several companies where the management changed (for a reason), people left (for a reason) and the company went on to be stronger and MUCH more successful.

Regarding the principals who are leaving, I think it is:
Paly principal - driven out by her own misbehavior
Gunn principal - a great principal, had a lot to deal with and a retired husband
Terman principal - has been retiring for years..

it's still unclear that Skelly is an attraction to PAUSD, the quality of his future hires will be the real test

Retirement is personal for some of these folks. Likins, Giedt, McEvoy, Larvy and Zepecki have brought enormous talent, dedication and wisdom to the district. I doubt they are retiring because of Skelly. We are fortunate to have had them here at all and we should be grateful for that instead of living up to our reputation as a bunch of whining, difficult, accusatory parents.

I think there are clear reasons why the two HS principals are leaving.

I think it's clear that Skelly didn't drive out McEvoy--after all, didn't he bring her in? Paly's had a problem with the principal position well before Skelly got here.

Likins had a smoother personality than McEvoy, I don't think she was a better principal. Paly Mom, I agree with you, I haven't been impressed with Skelley, and I don't think he's doing our district any good. He's stuck in some kind of Southern California megadistrict haze, and doesn't have the vision to guide our district.

Hiring Skelley is the best thing that has happened to this district in a very long time. Since there are so many openings in the district and some of you feel so much more qualified why don't you apply for the job and join Skelley by putting constructive energy into the district.

No one has mentioned what Skelly has done for PAUSD, so I guess everyone agrees that he has not done much but send "comforting emails". Palo Alto needs a mover and shaker who can improve PAUSD and help keep childrens' lives balanced, not a public relations manager. The finals before Winter Break and the starting school later is being addressed by Paly administrators, not by Skelly.