About Gordon F. Stoneburner Expertise I am a Principal/Superintendent at a Faith Lutheran School/Church in
Houston, Texas. I have served as a Director of Christian Education, teacher, and principal in the past. I have a BA in education/theology, and a MA in human services (counseling) from Concordia University, Chicago, IL. I have worked youth and adults in the education/theology field for 25 years.
Question The school my children attend has a principal, head pastor, church board of elders and NO school board. As it is now, the principal makes all final decisions and is not held accountable to anyone who could overrule him in a decision. There have been some instances where the principal has made some firing decisions and other school decisions where the majority of parents do not agree with him. My question is, in my school's situation, who does my principal answer to if anyone? Is there someone the parents could contact to discuss grievances about the principal? I know parents have tried in the past without success.
Answer Michelle:
You did not state what type of school it is, but I will assume it is a Lutheran school.
You are correct that typically, the principal answers to the school board, which is a group elected by the church congregation. Without a school board, I would assume the principal answers to another governing church body - possibly the church council - in some cases the head pastor.
One note of caution - principals do not answer to parent groups. When job cuts are decided, there is a wall of privacy concerning the person who is let go. This is for their benefit as well as the school's liability. I have made unpopular staffing decisions based on immorality issues that the school parents were not aware of, and I was not at liberty to share. Very difficult for all involved.
