Out With the Old

I came across a fascinating article recently in the New York Times (2/8/08). Like many schools we are familiar with in Baltimore City, Junior High School 22 in south Bronx had just hired its seventh principal in just over two years. Clearly, the school was ready to take an unorthodox approach. Ironically, this took the form of the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Shimon Waronker. In a school that is predominantly Black and Hispanic, one can easily imagine how a Caucasian, bearded, skull-cap wearing Jewish man must stuck out. More interesting than the premise has been the results he has achieved, which provide valuable insight on how cultural rapport may be more than skin deep.

In order to achieve success, Waronker “Zero-Based” and replaced half of the teaching staff. Since taking the position, Waronker has outlasted all of his predecessors and improved the school’s performance in several key areas. The school has been removed from New York City’s list of most dangerous schools, has increased attendance to 93%, and has helped improve test scores enough to earn the school an A on its new school report card.

Waronker’s “Zero-Basing” success made me think of Baltimore City. Baltimore City is ripe with teachers who possess the negativity and pessimism of the past. If Alonso, and many of his new principals, are to be successful in this innovative city, they need to boot out the old. We are ready for change and need the human capital to take us there.