Text: Headmaster Paul Krueger's Decision to Reinstate Mike Petrides

The following is the text from a statement issued by Medford High School Headmaster Paul Krueger on Saturday, July 30, 2011:

Thank you all for coming here this morning.

My speech will not be as brief as those others have made here this morning. One reason is that the matter before of is one of great complexity. The other reason is that I as principal am the central figure in this and all other employment decisions at Medford High School. On this topic, let me offer some background.

The reason why the Education Reform Act of 1993 gave principals authority in this regard was to prevent popularity contests or personal connections from putting friends in positions inappropriately or from allowing witch-hunts to discard good people. To make this work, principals need to make decisions thoughtfully and collaboratively with other administrators.

As you heard a few minutes ago from Mr. Maloney, he and I made a joint decision not to renew Coach Petrides’ one-year contract. In addition, as I wrote in my letter to Jon Pires (the content of which Mr. Maloney confirmed this morning), Mr. Maloney did not communicate to me that he had had a change of heart until July 18^th. That was the central communication issue of which he spoke this morning. Up until that time the only reason I was given for why I should change my decision was the potential for public disapproval.

However, it is my job to rise above political pressures, to make decisions based not only on specific behaviors but also on a pattern of behavior over time. It is my job to make balanced decisions even in light of emotionally charged threats and ultimatums. And it is my job to make balanced decisions even in light of attempts at character-assassination repeatedly directed at me.

Mr. Maloney’s acknowledgement this morning that my honesty is not in question helps me to make yet another balanced decision.

In this instance, as you know, there are differing opinions about this personnel decision, and there are competing political forces in the Medford community on this topic. Also, as you know, this sort of polarization is destructive for the community as a whole. That's why I have asked those who support my decision or who otherwise support me not to engage in this political dialogue. That’s why I chose at the school committee meeting last Monday night not to add to a highly volatile situation by debating the issue.

In the end, however, my supporters' silence would not last, and I myself would need to enter the fray, defending my position and repeating the facts that I have previously reported. In the end, this controversy would pit student against student, teacher against teacher, team against team, and neighbor against neighbor. In the end, this issue - right or wrong - has the potential for significantly weakening the reputation of Medford High School, which many others and I have worked so hard to bring to a new, higher level. And, in the end, this issue has the potential for destroying the harmonious fabric of the Medford community, which others have worked to ensure over the course of generations.

In this instance, I still believe that the decision that Mr. Maloney and I made in April was the right decision. However, sometimes there are things more important than being right. I have chosen to hold as priorities the cohesiveness and overall long-term interests of Medford High School and of the Medford community. I have long understood the strengths of Michael Petrides and the significant contributions that he has made to our soccer program. Furthermore, Coach Petrides, Athletic Director Maloney and I are committed to ensuring that Coach Petrides make dramatic improvements in certain areas. With this in mind, I am announcing my decision to reinstate Michael Petrides as Medford High School soccer coach.