Restart begins at troubled Ludwigshafen school

A troubled school in Ludwigshafen is starting over with changes to its leadership, staffing and educational structures, while authorities seek broad participation from teachers, students and parents.

The school supervisory authority, ADD, plans another full staff conference around the autumn holidays. The meeting will review measures already introduced and consider whether they need adjustment, an ADD spokesman said.

ADD President Andreas Kruppert previously announced a three-part plan involving personnel changes, educational measures and structural reforms. At least two specialists from the ADD, the education ministry or the state pedagogical institute are expected to support the process every day for an unlimited period.

Implementation began immediately after Kruppert and Education Minister Ute Eiling-Hütig presented the package. The school principal has been seconded, while a member of the school leadership and another teacher are being transferred. The ministry expects the personnel changes to be completed by mid-to-late September and is working to fill the vacant leadership post.

The Mainz Administrative Court has confirmed receiving an application to dissolve the current staff council because of a possible threat to peace at the school. Authorities accuse the five-member body of seriously breaching its legal duties and say that trustful cooperation is no longer possible. The school has repeatedly attracted attention because of police operations, and about one-third of its teachers reported sick at the start of the new school year after prolonged disputes among staff and conflicts involving the principal.