Melanie Hill-Anderson resigned as principal of Melrose Elementary School.
BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D. | Contributor
ST. PETERSBURG – Another Christmas has come and gone. Our scholars are still on a high from waking up Christmas morning, and finding presents under the tree. Charitable organizations, churches, and businesses assisted Santa in fulfilling their wishes. Ask any kid, and they will tell you Santa knows who has been “naughty or nice.”
As for Melrose Elementary School’s instructional leaders and Transformation Zone administrators — some of whom were previously engaged in bullying behavior and undermining the efforts of Principal Melanie Hill-Anderson — Santa appears to have also been observant and, in one case, delivered a very important early gift.
Former Principal Melanie Hill-Anderson
Hill-Anderson, according to Transformation Zone Chief Donnika Jones’ email to Melrose’s educators and staff, voluntarily resigned from her position and will not return on Jan. 8. She will no longer be subjected to the bullying behavior of her supervisor or the undermining behaviors of those still loyal to Jones, the former Melrose Elementary principal.
I am unsure if Jones anticipated Hill-Anderson’s resignation, but Hill-Anderson is leaving on a high note. Melrose recently earned a “C” grade based on scholar proficiency when many felt the grade would be substantially lower. She is departing to begin a new job, and I am sure, if asked, she would say her prayers were answered and Santa certainly delivered.
Transformation Zone Chief Donnika Jones
As previously reported, the district assigned a second principal to Melrose. I sincerely hope she does not become burdened with the issues at Melrose on a full-time basis and that the district provides Hill-Anderson’s replacement with the necessary support to be successful.
I am sure, if asked, former principal Hill-Anderson would reflect and admit she was not perfect and could have done some things differently. However, no one can deny she faced some unnecessary insurmountable challenges from her immediate supervisor and others at the school.
I constantly hear others critique Hill-Anderson in less than complimentary ways. But to her credit, I have never read or heard anyone say she has spoken negatively about the district. As she leaves, it appears she is taking the high road, remaining positive and adhering to the old rule: never criticize your former boss.
Melrose Elementary has a plethora of problems, none of which were created solely by Hill-Anderson. In fact, she was hired to address them. I submit nothing is going to change in a substantive way under the current Transformation Zone leadership unless the leader makes some changes. Jones must allow new leaders at Melrose the freedom to lead and implement new strategies free from a “do it my way or else” mantra.
The Transformation Zone chief must realize she is no longer the principal and act instead to provide the new principal with needed support addressing teacher shortages, high numbers of disruptive students, ESE issues, competent substitute teachers and coaches, effective professional development training and district support. Staff undermining behaviors should not be tolerated.
Hopefully, all involved will reflect on 2023, self-assess and commit to transformational changes in the new year. Building and sustaining a supportive, encouraging culture is essential and requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. Let’s learn from the 2023 missteps.
Oh my this sounds like a real mess. Soap opera material at the extent of the helpless that is involved. First I suggest that the team of teachers that undermined the former principal be split up among other schools. Separating them as far as the east is from the west. There is strength in numbers, leaving them in a culture that has been successful for them. Separating them might help them understand what change is all about. That there is not much strength in operating in isolation and understanding what it to be the new kids on the block. The district should have been more involved in this process. They dropped the ball in this situation. Everyone I am sure has some blame. As hard as it is to staff a school in the district, let alone in the “
“Deep South “ of southern St. Petersburg, it might have been necessary to make staff changes. Self assessment is usually not sufficient, because it appears that there is much finger pointing. Every school has a culture when leadership arrives. But this sounds like a setup for sure, without district support. It’s unfortunate that the population that needs the help most our scholars are hurt more than anyone in the deal. They don’t have the opportunity or option of moving on to another institution. I will continue to pray for our children. Commitment, commitment is necessary.
Please help this transplanted retired former urban teacher (one of many careers) understand by what is meant by the difficulty of staffing schools in “the Deep South of southern St Petersburg”? I live in Southern St Pete
where there are many schools. Please explain what makes some “the Deep South” and difficult while others merely reflect the demographics of the area which is mostly Afro Americans or Afro Caribbean . Why are some schools here considered “Deep South” and therefore difficult to staff and operate ?