Teacher pipelines, substitute teacher pipelines, paraprofessional pipelines; they have all been created by outside contractors paid millions of dollars from Hartford Public Schools, and have all sprung a leak or two, failing to deliver the intended product.  No matter, the theory is a good one so let’s give it another go, shall we.

HPS will be hiring the West Hartford group Partners for Educational Leadership (PEL) to “develop and implement a principal pipeline program structure and curriculum,” creating, based on feedback, stated Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez, a “career ladder” for HPS staff who would like to become “highly-effective leaders,” unlike those who sit above them.

Initially, this program will accept 10 staff members from HPS who currently hold a 092 certification, a school administrator or supervisor certification.  Richard Lemons, Executive Director for PEL, stated that although a person may hold a 092 certification, it does not mean that they are ready to become principals.  PEL boasts that their program bridges the gap between certification and the skills necessary to become school leaders.  Despite having the largest central office of any public school district in Connecticut, Torres-Rodriguez states that their “Internal Department of Professional Learning” (a department most likely created for this presentation), is far too busy to build the “structure and curriculum” necessary for the creation of this pipeline.

Despite having obtained a master’s degree, obtained 18 semester hours of graduate credits beyond the master’s degree, and recorded 50 school months of teaching service (the requirements for a Connecticut 092 certification), the Superintendent and PEL state that these folks are not ready to lead.  However, after 6 months of coaching by PEL, they will suddenly transform into “highly effective school administrators,” in the context of HPS’ “Portrait of a Principal,” of course.

The Superintendent states that this program will ensure that HPS retains highly skilled leaders, which it does by requiring participants in the program to sign a Memorandum of Understanding which states that they must remain at HPS for 2 years following the program or be liable for the cost of their instruction.  This is like promising to ensure that all Americans have health insurance by fining those who do not.

Torres-Rodriguez stated that after this initial $112,000 contract, HPS will have the “structure and curriculum” in place by which they could possibly run the program on their own, but most likely future contracts will be needed for PEL coaches, because the folks in central office will still be quite busy.

A supposed Professional Learning Advisory Council, made up of central office folks and school leaders, was secretly convened at HPS and it was their informed decision making that this all makes good sense.

So, assuming that the district holds fidelity to the idea of growing their own principals, to promote from within, Board Member Oliver asked if HPS would be incentivizing the program for HPS staff by allowing them “points,” like veteran’s preference points, once they have completed the program and actually apply to be a principal at an HPS school.  Ah, no.  Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez stated that the idea was raised and there is a “space for consideration” of the idea.  Despite PEL stating that program participants are hired at a greater level than non-program participants (without actually giving data to back that statement up), HPS will not hold any program participant in greater esteem than a fresh 092 applicant.  Speaks volumes about the trust in the program, or perhaps the Superintendent does not want to interfere with the points awarded on the basis of nepotism which may be allowed an applicant for a principal position.

And of course, PEL, other than stating that they have “pretty strong evidence,” did not share actual data which would show that they know what they’re talking about and that their program has been a smashing success.  The Board was fine with this.  They did state that there would be a final evaluation of the program issued to the Board sometime after June of 2024.  Where they will receive “pretty strong evidence” of success, I assume.

Perhaps this pipeline will deliver the intended goods, however, having a former superintendent, Robert Villanova of Farmington, on the staff of PEL, who as superintendent once scheduled classes for his district on the New Year’s holiday in 2006, and given HPS’ history with pipelines, this already smells like a leaking pipeline.  We must ask ourselves, is the problem with the pipe or does it lie with HPS?