Parents at Armstrong Elementary School are voicing their upset after a reassignment of its principal.
Members of the Armstrong Elementary School Parent Advisory Council (AESPAC) have raised "serious concerns" that will affect the school and community, after being informed that principal Val Edgell has been reassigned to another school by School District 83.
"Principal Edgell is a trusted, stabilizing presence in our school," said AESPAC in a statement to The Morning Star. "Her reassignment comes at a time when AES is already coping with multiple extended staff leaves and ongoing Certified Educational Assistant position reductions. Her leadership is needed now more than ever."
According to AESPAC, Edgell leaving comes despite her being only two years into a five-year term, with the move being made unilaterally by the SD83 leadership team, without consultation with Edgell, AESPAC or the local trustee.
"Just before this, the district had confirmed she would remain at Armstrong Elementary School, and planning for the next school year was already well underway," said AESPAC. "Many in our community see this move as a poaching of a highly effective principal from a rural school, despite AES being at full enrolment and already stretched thin."
The council has since launched a petition on change.org to keep Edgell at the school. It has 132 signatures by Wednesday afternoon, May 28.
SD83 Superintendent Donna Kriger explained to The Morning Star that Edgell's "leadership has made a lasting impact on the students, staff, and school community."
"Each year, as part of our regular staffing processes, the district makes placement decisions that reflect the evolving operational and educational needs of our schools," Kriger said. "These decisions are never easy and are made only after careful and thoughtful consideration of many factors."
Kriger also said that the process for staffing schools is made by district leaders, based on operational needs across the district.
"Principals are aware that they are not attached to schools but rather to a leadership team, whereby they may be moved at any time," she said. "Parents are not consulted on these operational matters."
"While we recognize that change can be difficult, we are confident that the incoming principal brings the same commitment to student and staff wellbeing, instructional leadership, student success, and community engagement," said Kriger. "We believe they will be an excellent fit for Armstrong Elementary and will continue the important work already underway."
