Tulsa's School for Science and Technology starts year with new leadership

Tulsa's School for Science and Technology at 4649 North Peoria is starting the new year with a new principal. <br><br>And he's got some new ideas on how the school should be run. News on 6 anchor

Tuesday, September 2nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's School for Science and Technology at 4649 North Peoria is starting the new year with a new principal.

And he's got some new ideas on how the school should be run. News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson explains.

It seems like there's a revolving door on the principal's office at Tulsa School for Science and Technology, formerly known as McClain. Dr Warren Gardner will be the third principal in five years. But he says he's here to stay. Gardner spent 26 years in Oklahoma City before taking over at TSST.

He calls himself a " hands-on principal." And he set that tone Tuesday, spending much of his time in the halls, greeting students between classes. Gardner says his focus will be on raising student achievement. And he's already got a plan in place to do so. Starting next week, Tulsa Science High students will go to block schedules. Gardner is putting in place an accountability plan that will test 9th through 11th-graders. And challenge teachers to improve test scores by 3% to 5%.

Some might call Tulsa Science High a challenging assignment, but Gardner says this is the best first day he's had. "It's a great opportunity. TSST needs a lot of love and care I am here to provide it for the students and the community."

Dr Gardner's got some ambitious goals, for himself, his students and his teachers.