F-rated Coconut Creek High School gets new principal from an A school

Coral Glades' leader goes to Coconut Creek

By Kathy Bushouse | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 6, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE - The Broward County School District is moving the principal of an A school to Coconut Creek High School to lift the flagging school from its F status.

David Jones, now principal at Coral Glades High School in Coral Springs, will take over at Coconut Creek High, which this year received its first F from the state in its annual progress report for schools. Jones helped bring Coral Glades from a C to an A this year.

"It's a perfect match," said School Board member Bob Parks, who announced Jones' appointment at Tuesday's School Board meeting. Coconut Creek High is in Parks' district.

Coconut Creek High largely received Ds from the state until receiving its first F this year. The district hopes its new principal can lead the way to significant improvement.

"I believe that working with Dave Jones, we're going to be successful," Parks said.

The school district's plans to boost Coconut Creek High include an analysis by outside experts to determine why the school failed, bringing in specialized programs to attract high-performing students to the school, and installing teams of specialists at the school to work on specific areas, including reading, writing and technology.

Now the district will search for a replacement at Coral Glades. Broward Schools Superintendent James Notter said he plans to bring a recommendation to the board at its Sept. 9 meeting.

Coral Glades will open its doors to students Aug. 18, with intern principal Lorenzo Wood leading the school with support from the district, Notter said.

Kathy Bushouse can be reached at kbushouse@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4556.