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Not Enough Data

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: January 24, 2009

As any student of geometry should know, it only takes two points to create a line. On the other hand, it's better to have more than two points if you want that line to accurately describe a trend. So we're not prepared to draw too many dire conclusions from the second of two rather hasty departures by principals at Moon Lake Elementary School. That might change if there are any additions soon to this particular set of data points.

These are not the greatest of times for public education. That's certainly true of Florida public school districts such as Pasco's. The current economic slowdown is reducing the flow of money into school coffers, forcing cuts in spending. Pasco School Superintendent Heather Fiorentino told School Board members this week more spending cuts are almost surely coming and they are "going to hear some cries pretty soon" about the impact of those cuts on schools.

This could have school administrators feeling tense, but it doesn't appear that money woes prompted Moon Lake Principal Cara Allen to resign, effective next month, after only five months on the job. Allen, reportedly, is heading home to New Jersey and another education job.

Allen's predecessor, Susan Barcellino, lasted only four months. She's took a shorter trip home, back to Collier County.

Barcellino replaced Donna Busby as Moon Lake principal. Busby took the principal's job at the Wesley Chapel-area Veterans Elementary School, which opened in August. Busby had spent six years or so as Moon Lake principal.

Dave Scanga, the School District's executive director for elementary schools, says Allen and Barcellino resigned for personal reasons and their departures aren't a reflection of things at Moon Lake Elementary School.

We have no reason to dispute that assertion from Scanga. If whoever succeeds Allen makes a quick exit, however, that might be stretching coincidence a bit and should prompt someone to ask at least a few questions.

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