Did your principal leave at the end of the year? Try not to worry as Bethany Erickson breaks down the selection process.

Have you ever wondered how a new principal is chosen in Dallas? Chances are, it’s a thing you never really thought about — until you had to.

Last week, Lakewood Elementary parents found out that their principal was not returning for the coming school year, and Lipscomb Elementary found out that Woodrow’s gain in Roxanne Cheek meant they, too, would be searching for a principal.

And just this week, Kramer Elementary found it, too, would be looking for a new principal after it was announced that Katie Eska had been tapped to be principal at North Dallas High School.

And earlier this summer both Cigarroa Elementary and Foster Elementary also had principal spots to fill as well.

Parents at Lakewood Elementary found out last week that their school now needs a new principal

And if you’re like me, you had no clue how the district fills those principal spots until you got a letter announcing that your child’s principal was leaving. And if you’re like me, that fear of the unknown caused no amount of angst.

So for all you Kramer, Lakewood, Lipscomb and other parents out there wondering what this means for your school, let me give you this quick and dirty primer on principal selection in Dallas ISD — and what questions you should ask. (more…)