Principal’s involvement makes school better

I was dismayed by Dick Fredericks' aimless rant (Sunday guest column) against Washington High School and its principal.

The principal of one school can't be held responsible for all of today's ills in American education. What Ralph Plagman should be held responsible for is Washington's performance. On that measure, he's done a remarkable job.

I've both worked for Plagman as a teacher at Washington High School and had the pleasure of my sons recently graduating from there - excellent experience on all fronts.

At the start of each school year, Plagman goes about learning the names of all incoming freshmen to fulfill his goal of knowing every student. That sets a tone of caring that many students don't find, even at home. Fortunately, his larger acts do translate into high achievement.

Fredericks' challenge to Washington's impressive numbers reminds me of the “birthers” who insist on seeing President Barack Obama's birth certificate, just to “put the controversy to rest.” There's no controversy other than that contrived by the accusers.

I guess the ongoing accolades from the fed's Blue Ribbon program and U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek magazines are empty and ill informed?

Wash is better, thanks to its principal.

Steven A. O'Neil

Cedar Rapids