Two principals cheaper than one for Q.C. school

Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary School is being run by two part-time principals this year, a move that is saving the Queen Creek Unified School District the expense of providing benefits for a full-time principal.

Erika Copeland and Linda Carr were asked to be co-principals after Kathy Burke resigned as principal June 20. School started July 28.

Each earns about half a normal principal salary, and they do not receive benefits, Superintendent James Murlless said.

Copeland makes $34,104, while Carr makes $41,964. Burke was paid $75,704 last year, said Stephanie Rack, administrative assistant to the district's personnel director.

The district is saving $5,021 in benefits that would have been paid for a full-time employee, Rack said.

Each of the two principals, who share the duties of a regular principal, works 2 1/2 days a week. Copeland works Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, while Carr works Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday.

The school, as in all elementary schools in the district, does not have an assistant principal.

"We both have a collaborative approach, a dedicated staff and really good parents," Copeland said. "Communication is the key."

The two hold faculty and team leader meetings and discuss any issues on Wednesday.

They keep a daily log to keep up on what's happening when they're off.

They also communicate often through e-mail and phone calls, and their secretary knows what's going on to keep them both in the loop.

"For the most part, it works really well," Carr said. "Actually, so far it's working really good."

Copeland was principal at Queen Creek Elementary School for two years before taking leave to have her son, Colten, who is now 19 months old.

Last year she worked at the district office as an administrator on special assignment working on curriculum.

She missed working in a school, and since she is expecting her second child at the end of November, she knew she would need some time off.

Carr opened Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary as principal in 2005.

She was also a former principal and teacher at Queen Creek Elementary.

She retired in 2007, although she continued working in the district as a long-term substitute teacher and also worked with students with Junior Achievement, both at Frances Brandon-Pickett.

Carr also missed the students and the families.

"This came at the right time," said Carr, 61, who has 39 years of education experience. "It's the best of both worlds. I love reading and sewing, and this way I can still be a little bit retired, and still do what I love to do."Carr will take over the duties full time while Copeland is on her eight-week maternity leave.

"It's definitely an advantage to the school because we bring different strengths and experiences," Copeland said. "We can bounce ideas off each other."

"Two heads are better than one," Carr said. "Being a principal can be a lonely job, but this isn't lonely at all."

Helen Litle has been a kindergarten teacher at the school since it opened. In her 33 years of teaching she said she's never worked for two principals before. She wondered how it would work, and said she's pleasantly surprised with how it has worked so far.

"Communication is the big thing," Litle said. "It's amazing they're able to keep up with everything that's going on, since they're only here half the week. They've worked out a system that really is working for them."