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"Tough-love" Pankey New Hillside Principal
Former Leader Hicks
goes to community education department
Author:
REBECCA E. EDEN ree@herald-sun.com; 419-6566
May 31, 20201
Southern High School Principal Henry Pankey was named Wednesday as the
next leader of Hillside High School.
Pankey
described his new position as "the ultimate challenge" of his career,
one that he asked for and plans to keep at least until 2005.
"I
am the principal of Hillside High School, and this change was something
I wanted," Pankey said during an informal news conference at the Fuller
Administration Building on Wednesday with his wife and one of his two
daughters present.
"From the bottom of my heart, I want to work at solving Hillside's
problems and make it a better school," he said.
The no-nonsense principal replaces Richard Hicks, who was transferred to
the school system's department of community education on Morris Street,
where he will coordinate business and community partnerships. Hicks is
taking over the position from Carol Johnson, who is on extended medical
leave.
After more than a decade at Hillside, Denlinger decided in February to
demote Hicks after an internal investigation found he passed 259
students who should have failed for missing too many classes. Many
Hillside parents, students, teachers and other staff members criticized
Denlinger and the school board for the decision and want Hicks to stay.
The love and support for Hicks shown in the last months demonstrates a
passionate Hillside community, Pankey said.
"It is a testament to Hicks," Pankey said. "He's had a great career and
I admire him a lot."
Board Chairwoman Kathryn Meyers said Hicks' new position is vital to the
community.
"I wish Mr. Hicks well in his new position," she said. "He certainly has
the knowledge and expertise to strengthen the ties between the business
organizations and the schools."
Pankey
and Hicks begin their new jobs today. Pankey, whose salary was not
released Wednesday, did not get a bonus or raise. Hicks, who recently
offered to resign in exchange for $400,000, will continue to make more
than $104,000 a year.
Meanwhile, Southern High School's site-based decision-making team will
soon establish a search committee for a new principal.
During a phone call with Superintendent Ann Denlinger earlier this
spring, Pankey raised the possibility of going to Hillside and the two
talked about his long-term goals in the district, he said.
"It wasn't as if Dr. Denlinger called me up and is forcing me to
transfer, quite the opposite really," Pankey said.
But, Pankey admitted to having mixed feelings about leaving Southern. He
called his three years there an "incredible and rewarding experience"
and joked about cloning himself so he could be the principal of both
schools simultaneously.
"A lot of Hillside and Southern people, including me, will go through a
mourning period because of this change before healing can take place,"
he said. "I love Southern and it will always have a special place in my
heart, but I am truly excited about this move."
On
the top of Pankey's to-do list is call student government leaders,
site-based decision making team and PTSA members, and meet with staff to
begin building relationships. Then, he wants to analyze Hillside's test
scores, curriculum and other data to create measurable learning
objectives.
"While I respect the traditions and culture at Hillside, I want to
instill my strong philosophy of academics," he said.
His emphasis on academics helped Southern students leap from "low
performing" to "exemplary" status as determined by the state's ABCs of
Public Education program in his first year at the school. In 1999,
Pankey received the Hall of Fame award from the National Alliance of
Black School Educators, and he was selected as Principal of the Year for
Durham the following year.
The Rev. Coleman Moore, chairman of Hillside's site-based decision
making team, said although he is "obviously very disappointed how it all
ended up," he'll support Pankey and his efforts to improve the school.
"I'm sure Mr. Pankey will work as hard as he can to make Hillside the
great school that it has been, that it is and that it will be in the
future," he said.
Pankey,
who suspended many Southern students for not tucking in their
shirt-tails and not bringing a three-ring binder to school, envisions
Hillside as a traditional prep-school where students dress nice, show
respect and earn good grades.
"Hillside High School is going to give Southern High School a run for
its money, and we will be as academically superior as some of the top
high schools in Durham and in the state, for that matter," Pankey said
with confidence.
Pankey
said his reputation for tough love is accurate.
Pankey
has not yet decided whether he will ask Southern staff members and
teachers to follow him to Hillside. Once he learns the needs of the
schools, he will begin to fill positions, possibly with Southern
faculty, he said.
In a fax sent to Denlinger earlier this week, Hillside teachers said
they would be displaced if Southern teachers were transferred.
"We sincerely hope you will not renege on the promises you made to the
Hillside faculty," the teachers wrote.
In
addition, the teachers allege Pankey made negative comments about their
school, tarnishing its image, a fact they said Denlinger acknowledged.
"Henry Pankey was guilty of literally telling low-performing or
discipline-problem students 'to get out of my school and go to Hillside
where they tolerate this behavior,' '' a group of Hillside teachers and
staff wrote. "You adamantly stated that you were aware of Mr. Pankey's
behavior... and now it appears you are transferring a principal directly
responsible for forging the negative image that Hillside has lived
under, as a solution to the problem."
Pankey
said he succeeded at Southern because the community supported his
implementing a school improvement plan named an "Unconditional
Commitment to Excellence." The plan includes curriculum alignment,
extensive development initiatives for teachers and numerous
opportunities for parent and community involvement.
"I have every confidence in the Southern staff to carry on the
collaborative vision we created together, as a team," he said.
Not so fast, said members of the Southern community, who gathered
outside Fuller Building throughout the day Wednesday.
"We want Mr. Pankey at Southern," parent Felicia Hodge said after the
decision was announced. "We are not going to tuck our tails in and go
home. We still have to fight. This is not over yet."
Hodge said she was disturbed that Denlinger met with the Southern group
a half-hour after the decision was made.
"Denlinger can't be trusted," Hodge said. "What use is meeting with us
to hear our concerns a half-hour after the decision has been made
public?"
Denlinger issued this written statement about Pankey:
"Henry Pankey brings to Hillside High School a proven track record of
leadership, discipline and passion for high quality instruction and
student achievement. This appointment honors Hillside's rich history
while ensuring a smooth transition for students, teachers, parents and
the larger community."
Pankey
holds a master's degree from the University of Maryland and a bachelor's
degree from the N.C. School of Performing Arts. Before coming to Durham,
he served as principal in Laurinburg and in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was also
an adjunct professor at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.
Pankey
is married to Aleyah and has three children, Ashia, 15, Amira, 8, and
Aaron, 14 months. And a 10-week old German shepherd recently joined the
Pankey family.
Caption:
Photos: HICKS; PANKEY
Copyright, 2001, The Durham Herald Company
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