The four executive directors will now be called assistant superintendents, a change that will bring more authority when working with principals and more clarity to the public.
“It’s a clearer, more universal understanding,” said the assistant superintendent for instruction, Virginia Bradshaw, formerly the executive director of middle schools. “Before it was like, an executive director – what does that mean?”
Roberson said the title changes are part of an effort to improve collaboration among principals, Cabinet members and parents so student achievement can move forward. With the new names, Roberson hopes parents will understand which person to go to with concerns and issues. He also said he expects more interaction between the officials and the schools under their wing.
“This is ensuring there is a system in place at each school to effectively engage parents and community agencies in supporting the educational development of children and families,” Roberson said. “It provides the authority that’s required to support principals.”
The school board approved the changes at its monthly meeting Thursday. The moves come with no change in salaries.
Apart from the expectation of more collaboration, the job descriptions remain relatively unchanged.
Deputy Superintendent Tim Spivey will oversee high school principals now that the position of executive director of high schools will remain vacant after Lynn Warr’s Nov. 30 retirement. Missoura Ashe, the assistant superintendent for elementary education, and Carol Rountree, the assistant superintendent for student services, also will play a role in overseeing high schools.
Bradshaw will play a stronger role in curriculum and instruction for grades K-12 than she did as the executive director of middle schools. The roles of Controller Gene Spires and Chief Human Resources Officer Norman Hill remain unchanged.
“It’s basically a title change,” Ashe said.
