St. Lucie schools face big shake-up

By MARGOT SUSCA
Schools Superintendent Michael Lannon on Monday announced a major staff shake-up for the coming school year as the district faces new attendance zones, growth and increasing efforts to boost student achievement.

After an intensive staff review — which included analyzing FCAT scores — Lannon said at least 15 administrators will be in new jobs and six top-level positions have been filled in new schools. Another six administrative positions remain vacant.

Just as the district looks at testing data to determine whom to send where, Lannon said principals' personalities, education and strengths also were factored into the appointments.
"Ultimately it becomes a gut decision given everything we know about where is the best fit," Lannon said. "This is the best we can do for the individuals, for the schools and for the communities they're there to serve."

Lannon said he wanted the changes announced before the state Education Departments releases high-profile school grades that are based on FCAT scores. That announcement is expected this month.

Most of the shuffle is at the elementary or K-8 level.

No administrative changes are slated at high schools, where teenagers this year continued to show weak performance on standardized reading and math exams.

Lannon said Fort Pierce Westwood High Principal Lin Bushore is expected to retire at the end of the 2006-07 year. Fort Pierce Central High and Port St. Lucie High had major administrative overhauls at the start of the 2005-06 year.

"It takes more than a year to be able to make sustainable change," Lannon said. "Part of our job is to be able to analyze and coach and mentor and be part of that process to make sure change is happening."

Notable changes include the resignation of Oak Hammock K-8 Principal Daniel O'Keefe, who leaves after heading that school in its first year. O'Keefe, a longtime Broward County administrator who lives in Fellsmere, came out of retirement to take the top spot at Oak Hammock.

Oak Hammock, in Port St. Lucie, will have an entire new staff next year, including Principal Carmen Peterson who leaves Port St. Lucie Elementary.
Glenn Rustay, known for his quirky neckties and love of technology, will lead Port St. Lucie Elementary, an A-rated school slated for a major K-8 face-lift by August 2008. Rustay has been assistant principal there.

District officials project opening a new school a year for the next several years, including a K-8 on Jenkins Road that would open in August 2007. Lisa Cash leaves Southern Oaks to take the reins there.

John Lynch, former county testing head and principal at Garden City Elementary in Fort Pierce, will take over for Cash.

Cortina Gray leaves her assistant principal job at top- rated Frances K. Sweet Elementary School, a Fort Pierce magnet school, to lead Garden City.

Under the new attendance zones, Garden City's low- income student population is expected to jump. Gray says she can balance the high standards of F.K. Sweet with the issues Garden City children may bring to classrooms.

Key changes

Notable changes announced by Schools Superintendent Michael Lannon:
• Fort Pierce Westwood High Principal Lin Bushore is expected to retire at the end of the 2006-07 year.
• Oak Hammock K-8 to get an entire new slate of administrators.
• No changes at the high school level, but Fort Pierce Westwood and St. Lucie West Centennial will hire additional assistant principals.