Rivercrest Elementary was founded in 1998 in Bartlett, TN to accommodate 800 students. Due to rapid suburban growth, the school saw enrollment rise to over 1,200 students. To address overcrowding, the school undertook a rezoning process led by Principal Portia Tate. The leadership team effectively communicated the need for change and allowed stakeholders to provide input through meetings and a voting process. While initially anxious about rezoning, the school overcame resistance by ensuring all members understood the process. After rezoning was completed, enrollment dropped to 816 students, allowing for improved academics and safety.

1. Rivercrest Elementary
By Tabitha Williams
Walden University
Organizations, Innovation, and Change EDUC 6105
October 21, 2011

2. History of rivercrest
•Founded in 1998 in Bartlett, TN
•Located in the heart of a rapidly growing
suburban community
•Built initially to accommodate 800 students

3. Structure
of
rivercrest
Principal Portia Tate
Assistant Principal R. Gaylord (Pre-K-2)
Assistant Principal T. Woods (3-5)
Dr. K. Buck (Title 1 Coordinator)
45 classroom teachers, 7 specialist teachers, 2 school counselors, 12
teacher assistants, and 5 office secretaries.

4. Vision statement
• All students will reach their full potential
academically, emotionally, socially, and physically.
• All members of the school community will fully support and
become involved in our school.
• All members of the school community will encourage students
to achieve their highest level of individual proficiency.
• All members of the school community will increase
understanding of individual differences.

5. The mission of Rivercrest

7. Leadership
Actions
during
Change
*Communication:
-School leaders sent home letters to
parents.
-A website with rezoning information was
created.
-Rezoning Newsletters were created.
*Parental Involvement:
Parents were able to attend meetings to
express concerns and ask questions
throughout the process of change. These
meetings were held at least three times
during this process.
*Voting Process:
Parents were allowed to vote on the

8. Overcoming resistance
The rezoning committee displayed a proactive approach to the
anticipated resistance during the change process.
Administrators communicated with all members involved during the
change.
The rezoning committee allowed parents and other stakeholders to have
a voice and opinion on how the rezoning process was going to be
implemented.
Everyone involved knew the reason for the change, understood the steps
during the process, and executed the responsibilities that were given to
them.

9. Evaluation of the change
process
In previous years, SCS board members made all of the decisions
during a rezoning process. Teachers, parents, and other
stakeholders didn’t have a voice and had to comply with the rezoning
changes.
Assistant Principal Tonjua Woods stated, “I wouldn’t have
changed a thing during the rezoning process that took place at
Rivercrest Elementary.” The rezoning change at Rivercrest was
created and implemented with everyone involved.

10. Conclusion
Before Rezoning After Rezoning
1,213 students 816 students
Students now have more
one on one attention with
improving their academics.
Utilized 8 outside portables All classrooms are in the
building, which promotes a
safer environment for the
students.
Teachers were just Teachers collaborate more
coworkers. and foster a family
environment.

11. References
Anderson, D. L. (2010). Organization development: The process of
leading
Organizational change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publications, Inc.
Beach, L. R. (2006) Leadership and the art of change: A practical
guide to
organizational transformation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publication, Inc.
Bligh, M. (Writer). (n.d). Sustaining Change. Podcast retrieved from
http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/