Bailey to Stay in District on Special Assignment

Freida Bailey, the former principal who was put on last April after a group of parents called for her ouster, has been given the job of "principal on special assignment" within the district.

The full-time job, which is effective immediately, will have Bailey looking at ways to address the achievement gap between white students and black students.

Interim Aquila principal Clarence Pollock will remain in that position at least until the end of this school year, district spokeswoman Sara Thompson said. Scott Meyers, who took on Pollock's previous job as assistant principal at will also remain in that role through this school year.

Thompson said no decisions have been made yet regarding how those two positions will be filled next year and beyond.

Bailey was put on leave after a group of Aquila parents , claiming she mishandled several bullying incidents and generally lacked leadership, which resulted in what they said was a poor learning environment for their children.

Thompson at the time declined to discuss the district’s reasons for removing Bailey, citing federal and state personnel privacy laws.

On Tuesday, Thompson said she wasn't sure how parents would handle the news, but added that the district felt like it was a good fit for Bailey.

"We're always looking out for the best interest of our students," Thompson said.

Bailey's position, which is new for the district, will be paid for by the district's federal "title funding," which is directed at helping struggling and low-income students. The district previously had a title funds coordinator, but she retired last year. Thompson said a number of that position's old duties will be assumed by Bailey.

Bailey will also be tasked with getting St. Louis Park schools to hit their federal Adequate Yearly Progress marks by implementing programs that figure to help struggling students. The district failed to make AYP this past year.