Pete Cahall is out as Principal of Wilson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think DCPS was trying to do Cahall a favor by letting him know ahead of time that he was not going to have his contract renewed. However, this whole episode--him going off the deep-end, sending a ranting, not very professional letter to the City Council--just shows to Henderson that they can't take a chance on this sort of thing and just let principals know right near the end of the year. Also, I think Cahall's behavior during this undercut his ability to get a good future position as he seems like a loose cannon--and whether or not he is, we all know that perceptions are often what matters.

I agree with DCPS trying to do him a favor.

But let's assume they let all non-renewed principals know, he's just ONE person. That shouldn't deter them from giving principals a head's up in the future.

And as much as I think this is his comeuppance and think he's an ass for the broom schickt, I don't think he behaved too badly. His letter was 'leaked'-not sent to the press.

(Then again, the fact that ol' Broom Man wrote to the entire board shows he can't take it but he can dish it out.)

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think DCPS was trying to do Cahall a favor by letting him know ahead of time that he was not going to have his contract renewed. However, this whole episode--him going off the deep-end, sending a ranting, not very professional letter to the City Council--just shows to Henderson that they can't take a chance on this sort of thing and just let principals know right near the end of the year. Also, I think Cahall's behavior during this undercut his ability to get a good future position as he seems like a loose cannon--and whether or not he is, we all know that perceptions are often what matters.

I agree with DCPS trying to do him a favor.

But let's assume they let all non-renewed principals know, he's just ONE person. That shouldn't deter them from giving principals a head's up in the future.

And as much as I think this is his comeuppance and think he's an ass for the broom schickt, I don't think he behaved too badly. His letter was 'leaked'-not sent to the press.

(Then again, the fact that ol' Broom Man wrote to the entire board shows he can't take it but he can dish it out.)

Maybe they gave him the same heads-up last year, and he kept it quiet, but when he couldn't find another job, he figured (accurately) that if he came out gay, they'd have to renew his contract to avoid appearing anti-gay. A year later they let him go anyway.

[Anonymous]

Nah. If they gave him the head's up, he'd be gone. Whether or not he had another job lined up would've been the least of DCPS's concerns.

Kaya would've released a carefully-worded statement to the effect that he'd been informed his tenure was up in December 'x' # of months before coming out as gay.

And his replacement would've been hired before his rainbow flag arrived in the mail.

This idea of his coming out bring designed to force DCPS to keep him on is bullshit and just plain stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah. If they gave him the head's up, he'd be gone. Whether or not he had another job lined up would've been the least of DCPS's concerns.

Kaya would've released a carefully-worded statement to the effect that he'd been informed his tenure was up in December 'x' # of months before coming out as gay.

And his replacement would've been hired before his rainbow flag arrived in the mail.

This idea of his coming out bring designed to force DCPS to keep him on is bullshit and just plain stupid.

*being* designed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah. If they gave him the head's up, he'd be gone. Whether or not he had another job lined up would've been the least of DCPS's concerns.

Kaya would've released a carefully-worded statement to the effect that he'd been informed his tenure was up in December 'x' # of months before coming out as gay.

And his replacement would've been hired before his rainbow flag arrived in the mail.

This idea of his coming out bring designed to force DCPS to keep him on is bullshit and just plain stupid.

DCPS wouldn't care if Cahall had a job lined up, but cahall would, and might try to hang on to the job he loved and felt he deserved to keep by making a dramatic gesture. Right After getting positive national news, it would be hard to get him go, but a year later, it is easier - and even easier after his recent behavior.

I don't suppose either DCPS or Cahall will ever say what really happened, so we can only guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah. If they gave him the head's up, he'd be gone. Whether or not he had another job lined up would've been the least of DCPS's concerns.

Kaya would've released a carefully-worded statement to the effect that he'd been informed his tenure was up in December 'x' # of months before coming out as gay.

And his replacement would've been hired before his rainbow flag arrived in the mail.

This idea of his coming out bring designed to force DCPS to keep him on is bullshit and just plain stupid.

DCPS wouldn't care if Cahall had a job lined up, but cahall would, and might try to hang on to the job he loved and felt he deserved to keep by making a dramatic gesture. Right After getting positive national news, it would be hard to get him go, but a year later, it is easier - and even easier after his recent behavior.

I don't suppose either DCPS or Cahall will ever say what really happened, so we can only guess.

Your notion that DCPS kept him on because he came out is foolish.

And the idea that he only came out to keep them from firing him is even more so.

Remember the story of the Principal of the Year who was famously fired as a reporter waited to interview him?

What part of DCPS gives not one fuck do you find hard to believe?

[Anonymous]

I'm the original poster of this thread and a current Wilson parent. The timing of DCPS telling Cahall that he was out is the most suspicious. Principals all over the country (who are usually on 1yr contracts) are told in April whether or not thy are coming back. Then, and only then, the process of finding a new job at a new school or district begins. No school system would tell a principal that he was not being hired back in December. It just doesn't make sense. Unless there is something bigger than test scores that we don't know about. I'm still very sad to think of him leaving because the safe culture that he created where kids are also truly challenged and inspired and respected means a lot to me. The academics are solid, extracurriculars outstanding: the proof is in the college lists every year. I'm very concerned about who DCPS can convince to take over Wilson. No one truly talented wants to work in DCPS and that's a fact.

[Anonymous]

Tbere's something bigger and it is called an investigation. Don't worry about convincing anyone trying to take over Wilson because at that salary...many will leap at the chance. They already have list that they can ponder over, be mindful the assistant principal are more than qualified to take the helm. Let's see the past principals have been either black females or white males at the helm. Just maybe it is time for a black male to run this diverse school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the original poster of this thread and a current Wilson parent. The timing of DCPS telling Cahall that he was out is the most suspicious. Principals all over the country (who are usually on 1yr contracts) are told in April whether or not thy are coming back. Then, and only then, the process of finding a new job at a new school or district begins. No school system would tell a principal that he was not being hired back in December. It just doesn't make sense. Unless there is something bigger than test scores that we don't know about. I'm still very sad to think of him leaving because the safe culture that he created where kids are also truly challenged and inspired and respected means a lot to me. The academics are solid, extracurriculars outstanding: the proof is in the college lists every year. I'm very concerned about who DCPS can convince to take over Wilson. No one truly talented wants to work in DCPS and that's a fact.

Are you in education OP? Because I am (a principal in FCPS), and your assertion about principals being told in April is not necessarily the norm. He could have very well been on an improvement plan and given a conditional reappointment last spring. The decision to move forward during the conditional year occurs in December.

Of course, it's all just speculation on our part. Only Cahall and DCPS know what happened, and that's how personnel matters are. I have no opinion on Cahall's performance, and I do hope DCPS can tap a talented leader who understands high schoolers, can motivate and hold high expectations for teachers and is able to engage everyone in learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the original poster of this thread and a current Wilson parent. The timing of DCPS telling Cahall that he was out is the most suspicious. Principals all over the country (who are usually on 1yr contracts) are told in April whether or not thy are coming back. Then, and only then, the process of finding a new job at a new school or district begins. No school system would tell a principal that he was not being hired back in December. It just doesn't make sense. Unless there is something bigger than test scores that we don't know about. I'm still very sad to think of him leaving because the safe culture that he created where kids are also truly challenged and inspired and respected means a lot to me. The academics are solid, extracurriculars outstanding: the proof is in the college lists every year. I'm very concerned about who DCPS can convince to take over Wilson. No one truly talented wants to work in DCPS and that's a fact.

Are you in education OP? Because I am (a principal in FCPS), and your assertion about principals being told in April is not necessarily the norm. He could have very well been on an improvement plan and given a conditional reappointment last spring. The decision to move forward during the conditional year occurs in December.

Of course, it's all just speculation on our part. Only Cahall and DCPS know what happened, and that's how personnel matters are. I have no opinion on Cahall's performance, and I do hope DCPS can tap a talented leader who understands high schoolers, can motivate and hold high expectations for teachers and is able to engage everyone in learning.

more likely they'll get someone desperate for a job or someone with a superman complex who will think (and be encouraged to think) of Wilson his/her chance for glory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah. If they gave him the head's up, he'd be gone. Whether or not he had another job lined up would've been the least of DCPS's concerns.

Kaya would've released a carefully-worded statement to the effect that he'd been informed his tenure was up in December 'x' # of months before coming out as gay.

And his replacement would've been hired before his rainbow flag arrived in the mail.

This idea of his coming out bring designed to force DCPS to keep him on is bullshit and just plain stupid.

DCPS wouldn't care if Cahall had a job lined up, but cahall would, and might try to hang on to the job he loved and felt he deserved to keep by making a dramatic gesture. Right After getting positive national news, it would be hard to get him go, but a year later, it is easier - and even easier after his recent behavior.

I don't suppose either DCPS or Cahall will ever say what really happened, so we can only guess.

Your notion that DCPS kept him on because he came out is foolish.

And the idea that he only came out to keep them from firing him is even more so.

Remember the story of the Principal of the Year who was famously fired as a reporter waited to interview him?

What part of DCPS gives not one fuck do you find hard to believe?

I agree that DCPS doesn't care about much Pete Cahall or the feelings of the Wilson community. They do care about their own self-perception and I think that includes being gay-friendly and avoiding nationally publicized discrimination lawsuit. It also includes fulfilling their own wacky notion of the model urban high school, which doesn't include a wide achievement gap like the one at Wilson. They think new leadership will change that. They are wrong, but they're in charge so they get to do what they want.

[Anonymous]

DCPS would've addressed the gay-friendly perception by saying they informed Cahall of his non renewal long before his decision to come out (which I suspect would've been true).

If anything, the prospect of a gay mayor prompted his decision to come out. Or something that occurred during the school day/year.

Why must some make this about his sexuality? Chances are, it was no big secret to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS would've addressed the gay-friendly perception by saying they informed Cahall of his non renewal long before his decision to come out (which I suspect would've been true).

If anything, the prospect of a gay mayor prompted his decision to come out. Or something that occurred during the school day/year.

Why must some make this about his sexuality? Chances are, it was no big secret to begin with.

I don't think it's about his sexuality, but Cahall made it a public issue when he came out and waved a flag on Gay pride day (which I support). Before that, DCPS likely did know and didn't care - about his sexuality or anyone else's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah. If they gave him the head's up, he'd be gone. Whether or not he had another job lined up would've been the least of DCPS's concerns.

Kaya would've released a carefully-worded statement to the effect that he'd been informed his tenure was up in December 'x' # of months before coming out as gay.

And his replacement would've been hired before his rainbow flag arrived in the mail.

This idea of his coming out bring designed to force DCPS to keep him on is bullshit and just plain stupid.

DCPS wouldn't care if Cahall had a job lined up, but cahall would, and might try to hang on to the job he loved and felt he deserved to keep by making a dramatic gesture. Right After getting positive national news, it would be hard to get him go, but a year later, it is easier - and even easier after his recent behavior.

I don't suppose either DCPS or Cahall will ever say what really happened, so we can only guess.

Your notion that DCPS kept him on because he came out is foolish.

And the idea that he only came out to keep them from firing him is even more so.

Remember the story of the Principal of the Year who was famously fired as a reporter waited to interview him?

What part of DCPS gives not one fuck do you find hard to believe?

LOL