HYDE PARK — Ray Elementary School Principal Tatia Beckwith and Assistant Principal Jeffrey Alstadt are being removed from the school, according to a letter sent Friday to Local School Council members and parents from Chicago Public Schools.
The letter, from John Price, chief of schools for the Burnham Park Elementary Network, did not say why or where Beckwith or Alstadt were being “temporarily reassigned.”
Price said retired administrator Cydney Fields would serve as "administrator-in-charge" of Ray.
It is not clear when Fields will resume the leadership position she held for 17 years at the school at 5631 S. Kimbark Ave.
“We think this is good for Ray,” said Joy Clendenning, a member of the Ray LSC and parent of two sixth-graders. “Now we will come together as a community and move forward.”
Fields will have a big job ahead of her. CPS plans to expand the school to include seventh and eighth grade to accommodate students displaced by the proposed closure of Canter Middle School.
Teachers were scheduled to meet with CPS officials Monday about the departure of Beckwith and Alstadt. A separate 2:45 p.m. meeting is scheduled at the school so parents can meet with CPS officials.
“We do have some questions about procedure because the principal's contract has not been terminated,” Clendenning said.
