SPRINGDALE -- For five years, the principal's office at Heritage Hill Elementary School has been a revolving door, each year welcoming a new person to head the school.
Parents say this has caused instability at the school -- which serves a mobile and increasingly diverse student population from Hamilton and Butler counties.
While Princeton district officials say Heritage Hill is competitive in terms of test scores and student performance, they are also counting on a new principal to re-engage parent confidence by providing strong academic leadership.
And, officials say, there's a list of other plans for Heritage Hill.
After interviewing nine candidates, a search committee of parents and school officials has offered the principal's job to its top choice and expects an answer Monday.
"The sole primary outstanding difference between those schools that succeed and those that don't is a strong instructional leader," said Ann Boyle, Princeton's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Opened in 1961, the 65,000-square-foot elementary school sits on 10 acres at 11961 Chesterdale Road. Its more than 500 students in preschool through sixth grade are from Springdale, Sharonville and a portion of Butler County's Union Township.
"The strength of the school is the diversity," said Superintendent Dennis Peterson. "You can go into some of the classes and feel as if you are in a United Nations meeting."
The school's diversity is a reflection of the community it serves. Change, it seems, is a double-edged sword for some longtime residents.
For many Heritage Hill alumni, now with families of their own, the drawback to this blue-collar area was the elementary school. They feel somewhat cheated.
"I moved back to my community (and) found a lot of second- and third-generation Heritage Hill families who chose to make Heritage Hill Elementary their school of choice for their children," said Linda Reichle.
But Mrs. Reichle and other parents said the school has changed, in part because of the influx of students who move in and out of the area.
"There is a perception of Heritage Hill across the district: We are perceived as a stepchild of the district," said Tom Vanover, president of the Heritage Hill Parent-Teacher Organization. "The truth is many of the families that relocate to Heritage Hill are families who move frequently," Mr. Peterson said. "The children lack the stability of residency; and some expect to move again, so they are not inclined to take ownership in the school." That's why both parents and school officials say a strong principal is so vital.
"Principals provide leadership. Their way of doing things drives the school," Mr. Peterson said. "We don't want to change the direction of the school every year."
Mr. Peterson and the parents expect similar qualities in a principal: someone who works well with parents and teachers and has the ability to deal with the issues facing the school.
"An instructional leader knows where the school is going, can marshal the resources for staff development, training and curriculum alignment," Ms. Boyle said. "The leader is everything." But that's just one change planned.
Prompted by concerns from parents, the district is considering hiring an assistant principal.
Nursing services will be expanded to four days a week.
A social worker will be assigned, as well as a counselor and part-time psychologist.
Heritage Hill will become the site for a districtwide English-as-a-second-language model, catering to the growing instructional needs of its bilingual student population.
After a one-year hiatus, advanced classes will make a return. "'We have looked at the needs at Heritage Hill and determined there are things that we can do. We are working as fast as we can to address these needs," said Ms. Boyle.
If the candidate to fill the principal's position accepts, the appointment would have to be approved by the Princeton Board of Education.
