Tulsa Schools hire a new principal for its School for Science and Technology

A struggling Tulsa high school could soon have a new leader. The Tulsa School board has its annual summer retreat, but still took care of business this weekend. <br/><br/>The board picked a new principal

Monday, July 25th 2005, 6:12 am

By: News On 6

A struggling Tulsa high school could soon have a new leader. The Tulsa School board has its annual summer retreat, but still took care of business this weekend.

The board picked a new principal for the Tulsa School for Science and Technology. The choice wasn't made without some spirited discussion. News on 6 reporter Ashli Sims did some digging to find out about the man who could lead TSST next year, and why some board members have reservations.

Students at the Tulsa School for Science and Technology are used to seeing new faces in the principal's office. This fall, the Titans will once again start the new year with a new principal, the fourth in seven years. TPS launched a nationwide search for the latest candidate and came up with Jerome Williams, an assistant principal in Norfolk, Virginia. But several board members have their reservations.

School board member Lana Turner-Addison: "based on a brief initial search of the candidate I am unable to ascertain if he has a proven track record at the school's in which he's been employed.â€ Williams has never held the top job in a high school. His resume shows five years of experience as an assistant principal at two Norfolk high schools, but this would be his first head principal job. Lana Turner-Addison: "bringing a person into a principalship role with no proven track record can prove to be detrimental."

Williams does have a science background, with a bachelor's degree in physics and he's worked in the aerospace industry and with NASA. Tulsa Schoolsâ€™ Chief Academic Officer Mary Guinn says he has a lot of characteristics that she and the rest of the applicant review committee thought would make him a good fit at TSST. "And based on those candidates that applied for the position we believe very strongly that we've found the best possible candidate for TSST."

The school board agreed and approved Williams hire. Whether he's the right guy for the job remains to be seen.

Tulsa School Board member Oma Jean Copeland abstained from the vote. She says she has reservations about Williams, because he comes from a school that has test scores comparable or lower to those in Tulsa.