Benjamin Harrison head principal job open: Janeen Heilman to leave Marion City Schools
After accepting an offer with Marion City Schools as the head principal of Benjamin Harrison Elementary, Janeen Heilman has decided to leave the district.
This decision comes after her acceptance of the position and the district receiving board approval for hiring her in the role of head principal, Superintendent Dr. Ron Iarussi explained, but she then communicated her decision to pursue employment outside Marion City Schools.
"Janeen did accept a position elsewhere, but I'm not sure it's finalized with her yet because I don't know that it's been board approved, but she let us know that she has been offered another position," Iarussi said.
The one confirmed hire for four open slots as head principal within Marion City Schools elementary buildings, current Assistant Principal Heilman was to take over from Tim Barton who has been serving in the role in an interim capacity.
Heilman did not respond to requests for comment about her departure from the district, but one district board member, Rocky Ratliff, said he as an individual board member believes the board needs to make changes in the district to help make teachers and staff feel heard.
Ratliff said it is sad to see Heilman leave with her many years of experience.
"This is my opinion as an individual board member, not the opinion of the board, but I think the district can do better by listening. It's just that simple. Our employees are telling us things and have been for years, and I think what they have been seeing/telling us hasn't been addressed by the district," Ratliff said.
"For instance you have behavioral issues that haven't been addressed. We have morale problems that haven't been addressed and various other items that teachers and staff bring to us and we're simply not taking care of business at the board level and it needs to change."
Ratliff said he believes this is a part of the board's work to come for the district and there can't be any passing the blame if change is to come.
He also noted he feels hopeful as the board prepares to welcome its newest member, Tara Dyer, given her many years of prior teaching experience with the district. Dyer will join the board as an official member at the upcoming May 16 meeting.
"This is not something we can blame on any superintendent in the past. This is not something we can blame on administrators or other people. This rests with the board, and we've got to do our job," Ratliff said.
Story by: Sophia Veneziano (740) 564 - 5243 | sveneziano@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Principal update: Janeen Heilman to leave Marion City Schools
