Letter: ‘Encouraged retirement’ not fair, unjust

The recent 'encouraged retirement” of legendary principal Dr. Ralph Plagman is a sad commentary on the times and a rather acerbic indication of a lack of integrity.

There is a lack of integrity on Mary Haglin's part by not voluntarily disclosing her past to other educational facilities. For that alone, she should never be allowed to teach again. There is a lack of integrity on the district's part for not taking the investigation further and attempting to ground or expose these claims.

But the one tragedy in all this is the forced resignation of Dr. Ralph Plagman so the district can say, 'We did something about it. We're heroes.” As a Washington graduate, you can call me biased. As a fan of justice, I'm not biased. I revered Dr. Plagman and I thought he was an incredible principal. What other principal could know everyone's name before the year even started?

He built Washington into one of the finest schools in the nation. He was part of building Metro High School in the 1970s so that disadvantaged youth could have a 'second shot” at learning. He was good about giving second chances. He believed in people, students and instructors alike. Unfortunately, the district's actions will not be reciprocated and a man who could have walked away into the sunset of a terrific career must now linger in the shadow of a shameful and unscrupulous organization.

Rob Dean

Class of ‘96

Marion