Pete Cahall is out as Principal of Wilson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, I 've heard DCPS leadership say they don't want principals to last too long - they want people to move around. They see a principalship as a 5 or so year job. DCPS clearly doesn't want principals to become too powerful or build fiefdoms.

I disagree and think someone can be effective over a long term (and I worry they will do the same thing to the very effective principal of my child's elementary school ,who's been there about 6 years).

I hope they're telling him to move to someplace else. Which still feels like a firing, I'm sure, the way DCPS is structured.

ALso, I can always excuse a typo or two. But when you send something so high profile, please have someone else proof it! I caught three "typos" before I stopped counting.

Look at the last sentence in the second paragraph of his letter. He may change his mind, but I take him to be saying that he plans to leave DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So does an assistant principal get a promotion? Do they find someone new to DCPS?
Where is Melissa Kim? Wouldn't that be awesome?

I am a Wilson parent, happy overall. My kid does well academically and is really happy and busy with sports and activities.

Cahill's letter was very poorly written. Was he ever an actual teacher? If so, definitely not an English teacher.

Melissa Kim would be great. She's well-respected, gets results and knows when to kick a little ____.

[Anonymous]

But would she improve the curriculum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So does an assistant principal get a promotion? Do they find someone new to DCPS?
Where is Melissa Kim? Wouldn't that be awesome?

I am a Wilson parent, happy overall. My kid does well academically and is really happy and busy with sports and activities.

Cahill's letter was very poorly written. Was he ever an actual teacher? If so, definitely not an English teacher.

DCPS really needs to word on QC - quality control - in its communications. It's becoming a serious distraction that is undermining the system's credibility and otherwise improving reputation. This is unacceptable from a senior executive (which is what a major school principal is), let alone a senior educator.

[Anonymous]

Why announce it now? Anyhow, does Wilson have an AP for each grade like Deal? Or does the Dean play that role?

I would suggest, Wilson gets a AP for 9th and 10th and one for 11th and 12th who reports directly to the Principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So does an assistant principal get a promotion? Do they find someone new to DCPS?
Where is Melissa Kim? Wouldn't that be awesome?

I am a Wilson parent, happy overall. My kid does well academically and is really happy and busy with sports and activities.

Cahill's letter was very poorly written. Was he ever an actual teacher? If so, definitely not an English teacher.

I remember when Melissa Kim started making real changes and improvements at Deal and Marion Barry joined a protest against her. That made her reputation in Ward 3 overnight!

[Anonymous]

Catania out now Cahall, looks suspicious to me.

[Anonymous]

It's crazy. Constant upheaval even at the better-regarded schools.

[Anonymous]

I think people who voted for Muriel will regret it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people who voted for Muriel will regret it.

What does this mean? Can you please explain? My child will be attending Wilson next year.

[Anonymous]

Wow. That letter is terrible. Why would another school district hire him after reading that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's crazy. Constant upheaval even at the better-regarded schools.

I am not sure what you mean. He has been there for 6 years. Doesn't sound like constant upheaval. When Kim left people were panicked and frankly I think Deal is even better now. Who knows what will happen. I have one headed to Wilson next year and one already there. I am looking for it to go to the next level. I always felt Cahall was good enough but doesn't really push to keep moving forward. I was very disappointed in how he handled the recent in school robbery issue. I am curious who they put in there. I secretly hope they move Albright over from Deal. He totally rubs me the wrong way but he runs a very tight ship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's crazy. Constant upheaval even at the better-regarded schools.

I am not sure what you mean. He has been there for 6 years. Doesn't sound like constant upheaval. When Kim left people were panicked and frankly I think Deal is even better now. Who knows what will happen. I have one headed to Wilson next year and one already there. I am looking for it to go to the next level. I always felt Cahall was good enough but doesn't really push to keep moving forward. I was very disappointed in how he handled the recent in school robbery issue. I am curious who they put in there. I secretly hope they move Albright over from Deal. He totally rubs me the wrong way but he runs a very tight ship.

I hope not. Don't want to deal with him for another 3 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's crazy. Constant upheaval even at the better-regarded schools.

I am not sure what you mean. He has been there for 6 years. Doesn't sound like constant upheaval. When Kim left people were panicked and frankly I think Deal is even better now. Who knows what will happen. I have one headed to Wilson next year and one already there. I am looking for it to go to the next level. I always felt Cahall was good enough but doesn't really push to keep moving forward. I was very disappointed in how he handled the recent in school robbery issue. I am curious who they put in there. I secretly hope they move Albright over from Deal. He totally rubs me the wrong way but he runs a very tight ship.

I hope not. Don't want to deal with him for another 3 years.

PP here. I know, I know. I am not a fan of his interpersonal skills but he does hire great staff and is on top of things.

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of Mr. Cahill but think that it's time for him to move on. He's amazing at culture building and has presided over a period of growth and change (lots of it driven by him). However, I don't feel like he pushed the envelope on academics and that is what Wilson needs.

It sounds like this was mishandled. In my (likely ignorant) opinion, the ideal situation would be for Cahill to move to a lower-performing school that needs a culture infusion. He's a great asset to the school district, and I'm guessing he would have been motivated by a new challenge.