Sunday, April 02, 2000
Covington principals reassigned
Schools are most troubled in district
BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Two local school principals will not return to their jobs after spring break.
Superintendent James Kemp informed 1st District Elementary principal Betty Wiley and Holmes Junior High principal Henley McIntosh that Friday was their last day in those positions.
Ms. Wiley was reassigned to teach home-bound children. Mr. McIntosh was assigned to be a counselor at the Covington Academy of Renewal Education, the district's alternative school.
Interim principals will lead the schools when students return to classes April 10.
“I'm not real happy about it myself,” Ms. Wiley said Saturday.
She has been principal at 1st District for four years. She has 24 years of experience in the district.
Mr. McIntosh could not be reached Saturday.
Board of Education member Joe Meyer said Mr. Kemp told the board of his decision. He said he could not comment further because of a state law that allows school district employees who are reassigned to protest the job change and request a hearing before the board.
“Mr. Kemp told us this was being done to make a step toward improving conditions at those schools,” Mr. Meyer said.
School board member Col Owens said he could not comment.
Other board members are either out of town or could not be reached Saturday.
The move comes as Covington Schools are embroiled in controversy over the effectiveness and appropriateness of students' education.
Education Department officials are beginning an audit of each school. A recent state report criticized the district for creating a system of “haves and have-nots” perpetuated by years of inconsistent leadership and a tendency to focus on advanced learners while leaving slower learners behind.
1st District and Holmes Junior High are the most troubled in the Covington system.
• 1st District's scores on last spring's state exam placed it last among all 659 elementary schools in the state.
The school is assigned a “highly skilled educator” from the state to help staff make improvements. A reading-based, whole-school reform program called Success For All was started at the school this year. According to a report presented to the school board in March, all students at the school are improving their reading ability.
• Holmes Junior High's state test scores placed the school 193 out of 199 schools statewide.
The school is the focus of at least five studies seeking to boost student achievement and the school environment.
Reds may already have won - at gate
Team comes first in Lindner era
Clinging to a glimmer of hope
Legislators told: Fix farm laws
Lung cancer lags as priority
Ohio likely battlefield for presidential race
Public schools show off their results
PBS encourages kids to read Between the Lions
98 degrees helps make the band
He's a high priest of technology
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Accused robber now under indictment
Builder wants Dayton to get a bigger share
Cards, letters ease Bob Braun's retirement
City tries again to get homes water
Covington principals reassigned
Covington schools head praised for initiatives
Festival organizers meet to avoid another Mardi Gras
Four communities get $50,000 grants
GET TO IT
Joseph Kowalewski, scientist, college dean, dies at 100
Lawsuit last straw for winless team
Lobbyists' side jobs prompting questions
Love of game built diamond
Mason backs tax abatement deck,20,1 Mitsubishi may expand
Pianist makes familiar tunes fresh
Protest criticizes health system
'Smallest chapel' was almost lost
Memories of the local report from Bombeck
Aiken for some help
Commandments bill facing fight
Thou shalt not expect miracle from Assembly
A life from which to take inspiration
