This principal should be the 1st person to be cut from the school system,since they are cutting back on school staff.

It appears that certain emotional responses are welcome here while constructive ideas and discussion are not. Don't speculate on a troubled principal's decision-making and offer your crude solutions if you are not willing to consider the evidence or circumstances against him or her. Stick to your emotional draft.

These reactions resemble those that cheer the elimination of Magnet busing and for that matter, the passage of Prop 8. Ignorance and selfishness, that's all I see. I'm sorry that you can no longer send your kids to private school, but look on the bright side, they have such fantastic role models. I just hope they don't grow up to be teachers or principals.

It's against Greatschools guidelines to publish personal information on the forum. If you want to send one another a private message, you can do that. Go to the right side of this page, where there's a blue bar that says "My Snapshot" and under that is an orange envelope next to the words "Private Message." Click on it, and proceed....

Wow, I thought that I had heard it all. First, to Parent in SD - good for you! Keep up the fight. I appreciate that you have passion and conviction for your child/children. Maybe if more parents cared about the education system and who was in charge we would not be 48th in the nation. (But that is another topic). I have read all of the post and I am a bit confused by the post from big pretender... I too agree that if a person if struggling in their personal life that they should be able to get help, find comfort and solace, and do what ever they need to in order to be in a good place. I am religious so I do have compassion and care about someone who is exhibiting this type of behavior, this person is in big trouble and needs help. But... that is what a leave of absence, bereavement leave, personal time off, and FMLA are for. Sorry, but even at my best I believe that for those of us that choose a life or career path that places us in a leadership role, making decisions that affect the lives of others, puts us in a different category. We are not allowed the luxury of these types of mistakes. The cost is too high. A Principal can make a decision that will have a lasting affect on a child's life. Decisions that can change that child's life forever, and quite frankly if this person cannot make good decisions for themselves, then they should not be be making decisions for others. I have tried to understand your point but I have to agree that this is not acceptable of a high school principal. Our children deserve better. They are vulnerable, the wrong word or action can cause them to make drastic choices, dropping out of school, drugs, suicide, they must be protected and we must ensure that they have the best leaders and role models available. They deserve it. As for your wanting more information, and Parenting in SD not wanting to publicly out the principal, maybe posting the name of the Superintendent and his/her e-mail address would be helpful. I for one would be more than willing to send an e-mail as a call for action, and looking at the support you have here I am sure that others would join me. Good-Luck and please keep us posted.

If the principal does it once shame on the principal, if the community allows the principal to do it three times then shame on the community for letting it happen.

1 DUI might could be personal issues, and may be forgiven, but if they didn't learn after the first one and get a 2 DUI it's time to wake up and remove the principal from their leadership position, how can someone fairly discipline students, who can not discipline themselves enough to prevent a 2nd DUI?

To me it does'nt matter what school,or where the school is, all that matters here is this principal should not be in office over other teachers,staff members, and students. how can a person give good advice and feel good about themself knowing they have a bad,dangerous,driving drunk record.

People in high offices should be able to handle stress better then driving drunk putting other people lives in danger. they are the people that correct others, and suppose to be a good example.

WHY HAVE A PERSON THAT HAS MORE BAD HABITS THEN YOU IN LEADERSHIP.THAT'S WHY OUR SCHOOLS ARE LIKE THEY ARE BECAUSE OF POOR LEADERSHIP. DRUNK DRIVING PRINCIPAL NEEDS HELP 1ST. THEY NEED TO PUT SOMEONE IN OFFICE WITH A GOOOD RECORD.

For all the passion displayed already, I hope this principal truly is a horrible excuse for a human being and deserves this treatment.

If it's a case where they recently lost something or someone very close to them and is having trouble coping in the short term outside of work, then I would feel pretty ashamed. I think this person deserves the benefit of the doubt since the in-school performance (supposedly) speaks for itself.

If it's someone just having too much fun and displaying complete reckless abandon, absolutely can 'em.

So if you care to share some facts, that might help clear up the mystery. Which part of town? Which school? Public? Charter? Private? Magnet? Name? Right now, I have very little to go on.

You are 100% correct, overzealous and hostile are not qualities of a great leader. So let me ask you this, are good judgement and the ability to live with in the basic standards of the law as a citizen, traits of a great leader? If the answer is yes, then this person does not posses these traits. Living a law abiding life is the bare minimum I would expect from any regular person off the street, so why should I not expect more from someone who makes daily decisions for my child?
Yes, we do want the best for our children, and it should be at any cost. No sacrifice is too great for our children. These are tough times, I am not saying to fire this person. I just think she should not be in the position to make daily decisions for our children. I am sure there are other posititions in the District she could fill, where she is no longer in authority of the safety and control of our children. Yes this is San Diego Unified School District. I am sure you did a search and found many Principals across America who have been convicted of 1 or 2 DUI’s and all but 1 have been either reassigned , resigned or let go. The 1 that stayed made a public apology and was only convicted of 1 DUI.

It's good to know there are plenty of compassionate people out there that have some level of understanding for abuse. It doesn't sound like there are many on this forum. But let me point out that it takes a certain type of person and personality to be a great leader. Overzealous and hostile are certainly not qualities that come to mind, and I truly wonder how much better off we could all be enlisting such an approach. I am not religious, but I would start praying.

Let's not take away the fact that we all want the best for our children. But at what cost? These are tough times and everyone needs help. If you're fortunate enough to not need any help, at least don't make it harder on other people.

You could always do a petition for him to resign or be removed.

Sorry, I thought I was on a local forum...

Like I said, I would love to review the facts. After some quick searches, I've found nothing. My guess is that it did not happen in San Diego Unified.

bigdprender........what facts do you need I have them

bigdprender........I got so hostile when I was forced to accept substandard leadership for my children. I take the education of my child as a serious joint venture between the home and school. In today's hard economic times and budget cutting in education is the perfect opportunity to let this person go. The top notch performers and strong leaders are who are children deserve. If this were my spouse he would have made a better decision twice over and would have never got behind the wheel drunk.
Yes, this person should be held to a higher standard and I am more than happy to launch an attack method as an "overzealous and savage" because I have considered the worthiness of my child's help. If more parents were "overzealous an savage like" the world would be a better place.
In many companies the employees do not serve our children and community. The first step was the first DUI conviction, the second step was the second DUI conviction, I will not sit around and wait for the 3rd.

Get rid of the DUI principal.she do not need to be at the school telling our kids to be good students when she's not being good.

This principal has 2 DUI's. what caused the 2nd one,why did'nt she get help after the 1st one? If she has a drinking problem and is driving why would some parents condone this?,what will it take before she see the light and realize she needs some serious help before she kill someone.I could never go alone with this exspecially around children at school.

And yes,to answer your question bigdprenter if it was my son,daughter,husband,mother or father I would not want them around children at school and exspecially around my kids or even driving drunk with my kids. are you aware of principals driving and takeing school kids out,yes some of them do.would you want your A,B,honor roll child rideing with this DUI principal to an event? this principal needs help and should not have had a 2nd DUI.

If anyone has further facts on this, please share. It's hard to form an opinion based on other people's comments. And I hate to think the public is rushing to oust someone here without all of the facts... furthermore, it has the aroma of an episode on The Real Housewives of San Diego...

When did our society become so hostile? If this was your spouse, would you want them thown in the gutter and left to their own devices?

Yes, this person should be held to higher standard. But rather than the attack method of some savage, overzealous parents, has anyone considered this principal's worthiness of help? In many companies, some kind of treatment is usually the first step. If that proves to be futile, then maybe more extreme measures should be taken.

Some people do turn things around...and if their job performance has been top notch, then it sounds like at least a compassionate first step would be worthwhile.

Thanks for the recent responses. I have contacted MADD and I am waiting for a call back to see what aspect they can get involved. I also contacted the Board President who informed me she turned it over to internal investigations. I am very disgusted that this Principal is making decisions on a daily basis for my child when it is clear that she can not make a simple safety decision for herself. 2 DUI's show total disregard for authority and the very community she serves. I believe this Principal is still around because she has high test scores and high graduation rates. That is all they care about is numbers. They do not care about the kids just numbers.

I would hope that there is a policy in place about this in the school handbook. Have you shared your concerns with the School Board? It is sad that this has happened, but if there is no policy in place, then it is difficult. If they don't have a policy, then I would get on the agenda of the School Board and make sure that it is written in. Two convicted DUI's means there is definitely a problem....

GET HIM OUTTA THERE!

Loser principals in their personal life, doesn't necessarily mean they are losers at work. However, how can a man of his position be a role model and an example to set for children if he can't follow the rules too.
Don't they have a MADD team at school or in the community?

I don't believe it is appropriate for principal's to remain in this leadership role if they are breaking the law.

Maybe the school district can't "legally" do something about it but you can contact MADD (mother's against drunk driving), I faxed them a copy of the news article when my kids school principal got his second DWI. If he had been a teacher (especially one who was not buddies with the superintendent, like him) he would have been fired. A 30+ year teacher with more credentials than him, and a great teacher was forced to resign b/c of drinking, I think the rules/regs, and disciplanary action should be dispursed more evenly.

You could just contact the newpaper and ask to speak with the reporter who covers education topics. Just express your concerns, and mention some of the points people brought up here, and say that you wonder if the general public is aware of the fact that the School District Board doesn't feel what happens on weekends matters when it comes to the principal, yet if students do illegal drinking outside of school, it can have an impact...(Read your parent handbook first, to be sure they spell out the consequences of what happens to students who violate laws...maybe your district doesn't do anything to kids, either, but in our district, it's cause for disciplinary action, removal from sports teams, etc.)

I just recieved a written response from the District and it basically said that nothing will be done to this Principal. The fact that the DUI's occured on the weekend and have not affected her job is the reason. Any suggestions, on what to do now? How do I encourage the press to publish an article about this?

I think it's just a matter of time, here's a old saying give a person enough rope they will eventually hang their own self.I think we should try to help others before they hurt themselves and other people,but the system won't do anything until something bad happen on the school grounds with this DUI principal and that's a sad way to think when it comes to our children.
I really hope this DUI principal get help before it's to late.

I don't feel this website should be used to put down my own personal feelings or anyone else's. I do good by my children first of all. I would appreciate more respect especially since you do not know me. I felt your comment was too personal towards me and highly inappropriate. You sound very hostile.

I do not know the man and I think it is unfortunate that has 2 Dui"s, but how is he doing his job? That would be my concern. If the school is well managed and he is not abusive to students, I feel this is truly not the concern of the public. There are certain criteria for dismissing a principal and sorry, DUI's don't cut it. Now if the man is drunk at school, that would be a concern. Although I don't condone driving under the influence, alot of our laws became nothing more than a money maker. I would direct my concern towards, "What kind of a school environment this is for your child. " If the man is doing his job "Let it go". We had a similar situation in our area, but unfortunately the educator showed up drunk at a school function and of course he was dismissed. Some offenses do not make a person bad, but when a person takes their private life and mixes it with their job, that can be of a concern in my own opinion. I feel the media has been allowed to humiliate all people with too many details and should be made to keep others lives on a "Need to know" basis. If we got rid of all educators because of some misdemeanors on their record, we may not have alot left to run our schools. They are people too. I knew of an educator that had an immaculate criminal record, and he was the nastiest person on the face of the earth, alot of parents complained, but they kept him around because he buffaloed his way through it. Some of the children were extremely upset by this man. It is a different society out there, even with our educators. Are our schools safe??? I hope they are as safe as they all proclaim.

Your public school district should have an Office of Risk Management. Procedures regarding behaviors - are usually enforced by this division. It is probably a good place to start.
Good Luck

One piece of advice is to log on to your state education site and look for information about the conduct an educator needs to have. This might help you to either get him out of the school or at least mandated to take AA meetings.

Thank you Jenn and Deborah for your post's I am still pursuing this matter. I think the District is 100% correct this is a personal matter I take it very PERSONAL that I deliver my young impressionable teenager to a Principal's care everyday who can not make good decisions for her own safety, so how can I expect her to make sound judgement in my childs daily life? Please if anyone has more words of encouragement for me I need them because to be quite honest the other parents I speak to don't seem to care, but I can not worry about them. I am worried about my child and his welfare.

As an educator this person should be held to a higher standard. That is why we have background checks and are monitored in the classroom. If this was my school and it was a teacher they would not have a job. We are there to set an example. THIS PERSON SHOULD NOT HAVE A JOB AND HAVE THEIR LICENSE TAKEN AWAY SO THAT THEY CANNOT TEACH OR BE A PRINCIPAL AGAIN.

Just to let everyone know a person that is or has a DUI problem,THAT'S DRIVING DRUNK ANYWHERE.

Sign:DH
LOVE YA ALL

Thank you all for taking the time to reply and validating the feelings I have. I am becoming more frustrated because I figure if I go talk to the Superintendent with more parents who are outraged by this Principal, it will be more of an impact then just me by myself, but after talking to 3 different parents, they were no where near as outraged as I am. So I am starting to wonder if I am making a big deal out of nothing. All I know is I am responsible for taking care of my child's safety and well being and I have an obligation as an advocate for my child to do what I need to do.

Ok, I would not care if someone thought I was a trouble maker or a tattler,because don't we tell our kids to tell if someone has a gun at school or any other danger. Ok just what if this principal decide to come to school one day,and in the school parking lot hits one of you all kid or maybe a group of children I don't think the school board wants to be sued,and I don't think no parent wants their child hit by the DUI principal. So I think this principal should be FIRED.they always fireing teachers for their behavior outside the schools.

THIS SHOULD NOT BE, I SAY THIS PRINCIPAL SHOULD BE FIRED NOW, AND THIS SHOULD BE TOLD TO THE NEWS CHANNEL 4, AND 12.

It seems absurd that his DUI's are personal matters (especially when students are lectured about not Drunk Driving) when teachers are often fired for truly personal (i.e. not illegal) matters such as being openly gay or this case, being a rather silly artist:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16557455/

I don't condone firing teachers for their private lives, (nor, frankly, do I have any problems with being gay or an experimental artist, but that is another topic entirely) but a DUI is a matter of public record and illegal. I think that is a very different matter.

I wouldn't take it to the media until you've exhaused the regular "chain of command." Write a letter to the Superintendent, and copy all the Board Members, and indicate that you'd like a public response by the time of their next Board Meeting. Then, if you fail to get answers, you have a reason to contact the media. You don't want to be known as a "troublemaker" right off the bat, as your child(ren) presumably are still attending the school.

Healthy11....Thank you for your response. I tried to take it to the Superintendent, but he was not available. I took it to the High School Improvement Officer, which is the Principals direct supervisor. I will take your advice in going to the media and getting the community involved.

I've heard of a similar situation in TX, I believe, where the principal was initially allowed to keep their job, but public outrage eventually resulted in their dismissal.
It seems hard to believe that schools which have high "codes of conduct and behavior" for students don't have similar expectations for their teachers and administrators. Giving benefit of the doubt, a single DUI is bad enough, but when you have a repeat offender, in my opinion, they should not be allowed to remain in a leadership position, especially over impressionable young students.
When you say "the District" says this is a personal matter, WHO in the District is saying it? Principals usually report to District Superintendents, and District Superintendents are chosen by School Boards. School Boards are typically elected by the community, and if the community doesn't like the direction the Board Members are taking, they can be voted out....it would seem like the local newspapers/media would be able to help spread the word about the position that the District has taken, and then see if they change their tune under public pressure.