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A youth movement

As the nation's principals get older, Hillsborough bucks the trend with 22 school leaders younger than 40.

By ELISABETH DYER and JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published August 28, 2005

CITRUS PARK - Jake Russell hadn't been principal of Sickles High School five minutes before someone apologetically asked him, "How old are you?"

The boyish-faced administrator figured his youth might draw some comment. At 34, Russell isn't old enough to be the father to most of his students, and he's just shy of a decade younger than the county's next oldest high school leader.

But Russell doesn't focus on his age, and neither should those who deal with him, he says: "When I'm meeting with people, it's not about me. It's about their kid."

He was a young teacher, too, Russell adds, and no one made much of that fact either. As he rose up the ranks, his professional demeanor counted most.

"People respond to your actions more than what you look like or how old you are," Russell says.

Still, there's no denying that Russell is part of a youth movement in the administrative ranks of Hillsborough County schools.

He is the second youngest of about 200 principals, just a month older than Scott Weaver at Dale Mabry Elementary. They're just two of several under 40.

Five years ago, there were nine principals younger than 40. Today there are 22.

That's because demand has increased for principals districtwide, says Lewis Brinson, assistant superintendent for administration. While the district has added schools, many older principals are retiring.

"Generally, principals are getting younger," Lewis said. "We just need good quality people and they're in a good situation because they have an opportunity to become a principal at a younger age."

The trend goes against the national norm. A 2003 study of U.S. public school principals by Rand Corp. found that the age of first-year principals is rising. In 1988, 38 percent of new principals were 40 or younger; in 2000, 12 percent were. And during that time, the average age of principals rose from 47.8 to 49.3.

However, as principals become older, the nation is facing a shortage, according to the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The top three factors discouraging new principals, as cited by nationally surveyed superintendents, were time required, low compensation compared to responsibilities and job stress.

Brinson says hiring young principals serves the district well.

"We need all the energy we can get out of people and it's good to know that we'll have (them) around for many years," he said.

Hillsborough principals generally work 60 hours a week, he said. Pay starts at $64,275 and can reach $90,520.

Principals must have three years of teaching experience and a master's degree in education leadership. They also must complete a two-year Preparing New Principals program and go through district screening.

Several North Hillsborough area principals were appointed at 40 or younger.

There's Kristen Tonelli, who took over Hunter's Green Elementary at 36. Pride Elementary principal Jamie Dunnam is 37, Kimberly Keenan at Tampa Palms Elementary is 39 and Bobby Smith at Benito Middle School is 35.

The picture is similar around the county.

In South Tampa, Stephanie Woodford was 38 when appointed to Wilson Middle School, and Eric Bergholm was 39 when appointed to Plant High School. Maribeth Franklin was named principal at Coleman Middle School when she was 37.

"I think passion is passion and (age) doesn't really have anything to do with the effectiveness of a principal," said Franklin, who set her sights on being a principal while in college.

At Ernest E. Just Elementary School, teachers and students wished principal Tricia McManus happy birthday when she turned 37 on Aug. 18.

"You get the "my principal didn't look like that when I was in school,' " said McManus, who was 34 when appointed principal at Twin Lakes Elementary.

McManus was transferred to Just to help lift the school's F grade from the state. While at Twin Lakes, the school rose from a C to an A.

Being young doesn't affect her performance, she said.

"I've been younger than many of my employees and it's never come up," she said. "When they see why you're there and that you're willing to work very hard at any job that needs to be done, age is not even a question."

Area I director Valerie Orihuela, who was the district's director of administration until this month, said young principals have a lot of enthusiasm.

"They're doing an excellent job," she said. "Age isn't relevant after they have experience."

The district links many young principals to ones with more experience. Weaver, at Dale Mabry, talks weekly with Susan Foster, principal at Gorrie Elementary, and meets several times during the year to set and review goals.

"Sometimes I'll ponder something and call her just to run it by," Weaver said.

Russell says he considered his predecessor at Sickles, Nuri Ayres, something of a mentor. She hired him into the school district and gave him his first shot as an administrator. One of his uncles, who has been a principal, also has given Russell advice.

But Russell also brings his own philosophy to the leadership post. Trying to emulate someone else could only result in failure, he suggests, so he must put his brand on the job.

One of the hardest things to do, especially for a high school principal, is to get out of school before dark. Russell, who has a 7-year-old daughter, says his home life deserves as much attention as his job.

"I do have night events," he says, "but I try to make it a goal to get out of here at a reasonable hour."

[Last modified August 27, 2005, 11:05:06]