Public input sought on new Washington High principal

CEDAR RAPIDS - As the Cedar Rapids school district begins the search for the next principal of Washington High School, the school's PTA is hosting two meetings this week asking for public input.

According to the PTA notice, staff, parents and community members are being asked to share what qualities they desire in the next school's next principal and what they value about Washington High School and Cedar Rapids.

The meetings will be Tuesday and Wednesday, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the school, 2205 Forest Drive SE.

The district is aiming to have a new principal hired in March or April. Carlos Grant, former principal of the Metro alternative high school, is interim principal at the school this school year.

The school's longtime principal, Ralph Plagman, abruptly retired in August, at age 72, after mishandling an investigation of a rumored sexual relationship between a substitute teacher and 17-year-old student. The teacher, Mary Beth Haglin, has since been convicted of aggravated misdemeanor sexual exploitation.

Plagman was inducted into the Washington High School Hall of Fame on Friday.