Letter: Dr. Plagman was a true Warrior

I am an incoming 11th-grader at Washington High School. I have been taught to look up to leaders and learn from them, Dr. Ralph Plagman is one of them. When I heard that Dr. Plagman was asked to step down after 49 years of service due to the negligence of a new substitute teacher, I was disgusted. In what world do we punish those for going above and beyond what is asked of them?

I have seen Dr. Plagman run around the entire city to support his fellow Warriors. From varsity basketball games to robotics matches, he has been there supporting his students. How many administrators have you met that make an effort to know you and the other plus 1,400 students at your school, by the end of the first quarter? This man has dedicated his life to making all others around him succeed. If you didn't have a lunch, he made sure you were fed that day, no matter who you were. If you couldn't afford an AP test, he provided that opportunity because he believed in every one of his students.

I am disgusted by the actions of Mary Beth Haglin and how the CRCSD has handled this situation. Dr. Plagman should not be forced to retire when he has helped out thousands of students and their families. My heart is broken to see such a wonderful man's life long accomplishments cut short due to the recklessness of a selfish woman.

Ashley Hageman

Cedar Rapids