Principal's Departure a 'Private Personnel' Matter

Amid much public discourse in the matter of the June de the reason for the one-term head-of-school's departure remains confidential.

Many Ralston parents have voiced concern over a letter that was sent home earlier this week from district administrators stating that principal Scott Carson would not be returning for the 2013-14 school year.

What the district was able to share with Belmont Patch was, "that on March 7, 2013, after careful consideration regarding the needs of Ralston Middle School, the Board of Trustees decided to make a change regarding the principal assigned to Ralston Middle School for the 2013-2014 school year."

District administrators also said the Board of Trustees has directed staff to begin the employment search in order to have a new principal selected well in advance of the new school year. 

"We will be working closely with the current principal and the Ralston leadership team to ensure a successful completion of the school year and a smooth transition," administrators said.

The news of Carson's departure was met with mixed reviews throughout the district. Below are several comments posted on Belmont Patch when the story was first published on Tuesday.

Comments posted ranged from:

Confusion…

"Mr. Carson is a good principal, don't see why his contract was not renewed. Must be a problem with the District office. Why can't the District office keep a good principal at Ralston????"

To frustration…

"Three steps forward, ten steps backward. It is very frustrating to watch the district and our school board make decisions without fully considering the consequences. This roller coaster we have been on at Ralston is spiraling out of control . We need strong proactive leadership for such a large population of students and teachers and that is what we were getting from Scott. He obviously ruffled the feathers of the district so instead of trying to think outside of the box and revise their antiquated attitudes, they stiffle the voice of the future. Who loses? Our kids......."

To understanding…

“I am a parent of two students at Ralston, I think we need to remember...there are more sides to this story. There are other opinions to look at, teachers are not the ONLY voices at Ralston. There are students, parents, teachers, classified staff, District Office and community members. I have had a few issues, which have caused me to reach out to the Principal, only to be told he wasn't available. I left numerous voice mails and emails, none of which were returned....until I threatened to call the District Office. Both of my students have said repeatedly that Mr. Carson is not friendly or polite. When he is on the yard at lunch duty, he stands in one place and does not engage with the students in ANY way, he is not seen in the halls during passing periods either.....is this safe for our children? As parents we should be pleased with the District and the Board for getting rid of him now, before it is too late. Evidently there are more issues going on that we are not aware of yet. Glad the District seems to be aware and they are doing something about it. After all, this is OUR KIDS that are affected.”

Patch will update this story as more becomes available. 

What qualities do you think the district should look for in an new principal?