Most failing schools desperately need new principals, but talented leaders are in short supply. Maryland superintendent Nancy Grasmick has inaugurated an effort to bring well-regarded principals from suburban districts to lead failing schools in inner city Baltimore. Beginning now, three superstar principals will be paid $125,000 annually to spend three years turning their new schools around while training interns who will replace them as principals when they return to their former schools. About 35 experienced principals from around the state applied for the program, dubbed the Maryland Distinguished Principal Fellowship. The president of the Baltimore principals union has (predictably) complained that the program is likely to anger principals already teaching in inner city schools, who can earn a top salary of $109,000, and said that it will be difficult for an outsider who doesn't know the city's culture to make an impact on a school in three years. "Suburban administrators to lead 3 failing city schools," by Liz Bowie, The Baltimore Sun, July 17, 2002
