Parents and kids upset because school's principal won't be back
By Joann Groff   joann@theacorn.com

Parents and students of Wildwood Elementary showed up in full force at the district's March 13 board meeting after news leaked that Principal Darlene Hale's contract wouldn't be renewed.

Despite a petition, nine speakers and 13 additional statement cards, the Conejo Valley Unified School District Board of Education approved the consent agenda, which included the nonrenewal of her contract.

Patty Shaw, past president of Wildwood PTA, said Hale showed her a letter she received from the district. According to Shaw, the letter stated Hale's contract wouldn't be renewed, but the district would offer her a teaching position.

Hale wasn't available for comment.

"The school district has elected not to renew her contact," Shaw said, "and I cannot understand why. She is professional, knowledgeable, dedicated and experienced. There's an injustice happening here."

Shaw's 10-year-old daughter also spoke on behalf of her principal.

"I think Ms. Hale should stay," Shaw said. "When I look at the jump-ropes at recess, I see Ms. Hale holding them, helping kids every day. The most important reason we want her to stay is because she hands out merit points when we do a good deed. I think that helps kids become better adults."

Some parents became emotional at the thought of losing their principal.

"My daughter entered kindergarten 10 years ago, and of the three principals that have been there, Darlene is the best principal for the students at Wildwood," said Andrea Moxley, choking back tears. "She's making decisions based on the students' best interests. I'm also very surprised and disappointed that the parents have not been notified. I think it's very unprofessional."

Parents used the many programs Hale has brought to Wildwood as proof of her dedication, including a vocal and instrumental music program, the Columbia writing program, new computers and a yearbook staff and newspaper.

"I cannot imagine that any of her mistakes outweigh what she's done for our kids," said Anne King. "Do the right thing- our kids deserve consistency and leadership."

Tina Lott asked for the board to keep an open mind.

"A lot of parents had a lot of concern that it wouldn't matter that we are here, that you've already made your decision," Lott said. "I hope that's not true."

Whether they'd made their decision prior to the meeting or not, board members systematically moved on to other topics and then voted to approve the consent agenda, which included the decision on Hale's employment. Board member Mike Dunn asked that the item be removed from the consent agenda and looked at further, but other board members declined.

The agenda passed 4-1.

"We are concerned and confused," Jerry Treshinsky said. "How are we losing someone like this? What do we tell our kids? If there have been mistakes, which I'm not aware of, what's the message? No mistakes are allowed?

"Certainly what's happened, or hopefully, it's not final. Let's keep Hale here, open the discussion."

Most of the parents left after the public comment period, unaware that a vote was taking place that night.

"We believed that we could make a difference in a decision that was being proposed by the school district," Shaw said. "We had (no) idea that our pleas would fall on deaf ears. We had no idea that it was completely up to members of the board to pull our principal's item off of the voting agenda. We had no idea that she was even actually on the agenda as all personnel matters are presented to the public in code, notated by a number."

Superintendent Mario Contini said the district couldn't comment on personnel matters, but confirmed that the decision was finalized by the board's vote.

Kathryn Walters, president of Wildwood's PTA, pointed out that this would be the third time over the last decade that a principal has been yanked from Wildwood.

"Why would you recommend this person be removed from this position?" Walters asked.