Thurgood Marshall principal leaves Seattle for Philadelphia

Ben Wright, the principal who gained national recognition for the gender-segregated classes and higher test scores he brought to Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, is leaving Seattle.

He will work as a regional superintendent for Victory Schools, which holds a contract to operate seven elementary and middle schools for the troubled Philadelphia public-school system. Wright also will open two high schools.

Yesterday was his last day at the Central Area school he has run for the past four years.

Wright's departure comes less than three months after the Association of Washington School Principals named him the state's distinguished principal of the year.

A number of factors figured in his decision to leave the Seattle School District, which he said is more cautious than Philadelphia about separating boys and girls.

"On the East Coast they're not worried about it, they're running with it, getting these programs up and running where kids can excel and achieve," said Wright, 53.

His decision to leave Seattle was a surprise to many, because he had been involved for months in discussions about becoming principal of the Seahawks Academy this fall and introducing reforms at the Seattle middle school that serves primarily at-risk students, while continuing to run Thurgood Marshall.

But when district administrators initially rejected his request for an extra stipend to run two schools simultaneously, he accepted the offer from Victory Schools.

"I just saved you $90,000 by taking over that school. In order for me to do that, I said you have to pay me a stipend," Wright said. He said Seattle offered him more money only after he had already signed a contract to go to Philadelphia.

Wright said his decision also was driven by uncertainties about the leadership of the Seattle district in the wake of former Superintendent Joseph Olchefske's departure. He had supported Olchefske when many educators were pushing for his ouster in connection with a $35 million financial crisis.

Former Chief Operating Officer Raj Manhas is serving as interim superintendent.

Elementary Schools Director Pauline Hill, Wright's supervisor, declined to discuss the pay issue.

"He is highly valued by people in Seattle public schools, and if he ever wants to come back, there is always a leadership position for Ben Wright in Seattle public schools."

Wright has not ruled out returning to Seattle, where he has worked as a juvenile parole officer and an educator for 30 years. "The School Board called me. They said what can we do to stop you? I said put me in Joseph's old seat and we may be able to do something.

"I said you know where I am if you're interested. I'll be in Philly."

School Board President Nancy Waldman said Wright had mentioned his interest in the superintendency, but she said she didn't think at the time he was serious. She said the board is waiting for a candidate-search firm to submit a list before discussing names.

"I'm a huge Ben Wright fan," Waldman said. "I think he's great. Wherever he is, I'm sure he's going to do great things for kids. I hope he'll end up back here with Seattle kids."

School Board member Dick Lilly said it would be premature for Wright to seek the district's top job because of his lack of experience managing large organizations. But, he said, "It would have been a good idea to keep Ben in this district and to nurture him as an eventual internal candidate for higher positions."

At Thurgood Marshall, a school where most students are African American and come from poor families, Wright separated boys and girls to reduce discipline problems and help students focus on their studies.

He also extended the school year into the summer and had teachers write an individual learning plan for each child. Wright and his wife, Gwyn Baker, created the Write It! Academy which brought mentors to fifth-grade boys and gave them Saturday classes in writing, leadership and etiquette.

Fourth graders' performance on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning has shown impressive gains. The number of children meeting state standard in mathematics jumped from 9.8 percent in 2001 to 45.5 percent last year.

Scores on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills have been less impressive, but Wright said scores are bouncing back with the creation of an Advanced Learning Academy this past year.

"I truly believe we could have transformed this whole district. I still believe that. We have to stop being afraid and just go do it," Wright said.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com