Principal Shortage Indeed Imperils Schools

The Orange County Commentary July 1 by Linda C. Orozco and Ronald E. Oliver concerning the effects of the lack of school principals (“A Lack of Principals”) is one of the few I have seen to define this problem.

It makes salient points about conditions denying our children true quality education. A poor or nonexistent principal means poor or nonexistent educational leadership, which in turn translates to abysmal teacher training and accountability, a negative educational environment, and dissatisfied parents, teachers and students.

The first priority for at least an adequate principal is the ability to correctly diagnose teacher needs and to provide the support required to elevate teaching skills. This requires time, patience, access to materials and trained personnel to help teachers improve.

What about all those other things that are needed, such as books, teaching supplies and equipment, making up schedules, etc., etc.? That is the function of an administrative assistant.

It is also time for the teachers’ unions to stop yammering about the money being “thrown away” on supervisors that could be better used to recruit more teachers. It is a false issue that distracts from the real problems facing our schools.

Matt Schwartz

Laguna Woods