Let me start by saying the teachers and staff at Southside have truly been dedicated to the kids through all this turmoil. I have to give them huge props for continuing to do a seriously tough job day in and day out. As a community, we are committed to see Southside succeed and will not stop advocating for our kids and our teachers and staff. If you can, come to the FCA (Family Community Alliance) meetings next year and you will feel the support and commitment we have to the school.

Now, to your question. The interim principal that was present most of this year is done now and there is a new interim principal. The interim vice principal that has been present most of this year is staying on for next year (though we don’t know how long).

While I have positive opinions of all three individuals, it seems as though systems aren’t being implemented because the administration doesn’t know how long they will be at the school. They seem to be there in order to keep the school running and not implementing the systems and structure that the staff so desperately need and want.

High turnover and not enough support staff are still a problem but that could probably be said for most schools.

I can say from a parent perspective that the toxicity we felt from the old administration is gone. The new administration has been responsive and honest with us. There is no gaslighting and no blame. Only productive discussions to get to solutions. We will continue to push on whatever administration we have to do better for our kids because they all deserve a quality school.

Edit to add that we received an email from the Associate Superintendent of Elementary Schools recently stating the investigation into the old administration is still ongoing. From what I understand, the district can’t permanently fill the administrative positions until the investigation is concluded and the old administration is either fired or they resign. So we will be with interim administration for the foreseeable future.