Mr. Smith has disrupted some in the leadership chain over Dufrocq. Chief Brickhouse was demoted to transportation and Laura Williams (former executive director) was promoted to serve as Interim Chief of Schools, but the rest of the "leaders," that have contributed to Dufrocq's enrollment crisis and negative school culture remain. We will watch for changes to school culture for ALL kids as an impact of changes. This change is new, but we hope to see more impacts soon.
Many are hopeful for more disruption to put Dufrocq on a path to serve ALL kids and not just the, "good kids," handpicked by Turner, Washington, and Mills. At this time interventions and tutoring are still withheld from disabled and poor kids and are treated as a boutique service for the children of middle class families in the magnet programs. Leap tutoring is again offered as reward for good behavior and familial complacency and NOT need based.
Reports of selective, secretive school culture and retaliation on children and staff remain. The fight for leadership changes continues and we will update how changes affect the negative school culture.
In a strange move the district claims it will prioritize leaders with "Montessori," experience which suggests Ms. Washington may be favored despite her causing enrollment issues at Belfair and her being the former principal's daughter. EBR's new interest in Montessori is confusing after years of overt neglect. It seems leaders with records of controversy and failure continue to be rewarded as the children are left behind. There seems no effort to unite the community or shift things to make the school safe for all kids and staff. Staff continue to set fires and create divisions for short term personal and professional gain even at the expense of the mental health of teachers and children.
We do hope the removal of Mr. Brickhouse will soon impact the school in a positive way.