District Asks for Help in Picking Next Washburn Principal

While the dust still settles from the events surrounding the reassignment of Carol Markham-Cousins, the Minneapolis Public Schools district is in the process of finding her replacement.

Markham-Cousins was removed from her position as Washburn High School principal April 11 after district officials said a change in leadership was necessary to restore the school’s learning enviornment. Of course, many attribute her dismissal to the investigation surrounding Washburn Athletic Director Dan Pratt, which led to demonstrations by students and community members. Craig Vana, a veteran administrator in the district, is serving as interim prinicipal.

According to a letter from Associate Superintendent Theresa Battle, the district hopes to have a new principal in place by the beginning of the next school year. To do that, the district is encouraging staff, parents and students to participate in the process through surveys.

There are two surveys: one for staff and parents, and another for ninth through 12th-graders. The district is hoping to have all the contributions compiled by May 15. Parents were also invited to fill out a paper copy at a special meeting May 7.

Below are the links to the surveys:

• Staff and parent survey
• Student survey
  

Patch will continue to update readers as more information becomes available.

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Related articles:

• Parent: Washburn Protests Are Giving Students a Look at 'Democracy in Action'
• 'goodbye mrs. cousins': Response to Principal's Ouster at Washburn HS
• SW Journal Reports Principal Carol Markham-Cousins Out at Washburn HS
• Dan Pratt Supporters Begin Online Petition
• Students Talk Washburn HS Walkout on Twitter
• Washburn HS under Code Yellow as Students Protest AD Firing

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