Baldwin County Schools recently added another central office position with the creation of a dean of students post. The move is the most recent in a series of high-level administrative measures undertaken during the Dr. Troy Journigan era. Since Journigan took the helm as superintendent earlier this summer, the administrative staff has undergone significant changes.

And while perhaps only time will tell if the recent personnel moves will have a positive effect on raising test scores, many of the changes have drawn public scrutiny and questioning. We think the public’s concerns are less about the motive behind the moves (we all want to see test scores raised and every school make Adequate Yearly Progress), but more about the atmosphere of uncertainty some of the moves have created.

The board of education and the superintendent must do a better job of relaying to the public what each of these new positions is expected to accomplish in the long run. Up until this point, there has been no clearly outlined explanation regarding what exactly the dean of students’ actual job is or how the position is hoped to impact the school system. The public deserves to know the expectations.

Every governing body has a chain of command, and we certainly understand that public school systems are no different. That’s why there is a central office. Restructuring during a leadership transition is to be expected. We understand that as well, but the community should not be left in the dark. After all, we all have a stake in our local schools and in the direction taken with regards to the education of our children.

As we’ve stressed many times before, we all play an important part in our local schools’ success, and we all have a responsibility. But in order for us to do our part, those in charge must work with us to establish some level of middle ground.

Change is difficult in nearly all situations. It is human nature for the public to react with reservations when leadership changes hands. Change should, however, in any and all situations be expected — and in many instances, change is actually effective. At the same time, however, changing a culture before learning a culture can turn into a cautionary tale.

If the board of education and other school leaders want the community to get on board with these changes, the community should be privy to more information. It’s a two-way street, and school leaders must be willing to meet us halfway.