"Popular teacher murdered"
"Accusations of sex abuse at prestigious private school"
"Lavish expenditures on headmaster's house renovations"
I am not making these up. These are examples of incidents that have actually taken place at private schools. In the course of running any business, things happen that can generate negative and unwanted publicity. A private school is a business. How you handle a crisis will have a huge impact on the future of your school.
It's the head of school's worst nightmare to read a story about something that happened at his school.
It's a parent's worst nightmare to read a story about something that happened in her children's school.
It's a teacher's worst nightmare to be in the midst of the maelstrom which is the evolving story with all its investigations.
The Head of School
21st-century heads of schools know that they cannot simply circle the wagons and deny the existence of the story. A couple of decades ago, when social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, email, and blogs did not exist, the fortress mentality was how many heads handled tough situations. You expelled a few students and fired some staff, and hopefully, the matter was put to rest permanently. Not anymore. Unfortunately, smartphones flash photos, comments, and opinions around the world in seconds. Your story better deal with all those reports effectively and professionally.
Now when bad press appears, it takes on a life of its own. It is bad enough to see a