FIELDER PARENTS WORRY ABOUT SCHOOLS FUTURE:

Fielder Parents Worry About School's Future:

by Stewart Smith

Mary 4, 2006

Katy Courier

Fielder Elementary Interim Principal Malynn Rodriguez's recent announcement that she would be leaving the school alarmed many parents, but Katy school district official say there is little to worry about.

On Monday, The Concerned Committee of Fielder Elementary School Parents stated in a press release that Rodriquez's absence would leave the school in disarray.  Concerns especially rested with the planned transfer and implementation of a bilingual program to Fielder's campus.  The release was sent by Ienke Haase, a member of the organization.

"Instead of focusing on the fundamentals of academics and recruiting a principal at Fielder by March -- as was promised by KISD Superintendent Dr. Merrill [sic] --we have a school left in a state of confusion, frustration and uncertain of its future," the release said.  "The Committee warned KISD and the bilingual community of the problems at Fielder Elementary School and the responsibility that KISD has in executing a world-class bilingual program.  While not surprised by the recent events, we believe the community has received further indication of systemic problems associated with KISD - a school district that is lacking good oversight and governance."

Attempts to further contact Haase Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful.

However, Kris Taylor, KISD director of communications, said Rogriguez's [sic] resignation is both unsurprising and expected.

"She did not resign.  What she did was simply decline to be considered for the permanent position," Taylor said.  "There is never an expectation that interim principals will step into that permanent position. They have to express interest and apply for the position.  She said she had family issues that kept her from feeling like she could apply for that position."

Furthermore, Taylor said the arrival of a new principal will not endanger the implementation of the bilingual program in anyway [sic].

"It won't affect it.  I think one of the things the district is looking for in hiring a new principal is someone who can go into that campus knowing that they will have a bilingual program and hire staff accordingly and make plans based on that knowledge," Taylor said.  "They make that program an integral part of the instructional program at the grade level and overall."

As for the District's hunt for Fielder's new principal, Taylor said it is well underway and is expected to be completed before the end of the month.  Candidates are being considered from within KISD, as well as other parts of Texas and the country.

"They are interviewing candidates right now," Taylor said, adding that it is anticipated that the superintendent will have a recommendation ready for the school board by their regular meeting on May 22.