A Summer Surprise at the Fitz

Just when I was recovering from Field Day and had stopped checking my personal e-mail account obsessively, looking for school-related updates, and thought that it was safe to relax, I started to get text messages.

That's what happens when you live in a small-ish city loaded with lots of friendly people who actually really do know everyone.  One of them (or two of them) will hear something and then pass it on.

That was how I initially heard the rumblings that Bob LaRoche, our former principal, would be leaving.  I got text messages while I was with my family at the Cape.  

I e-mailed Bob about the rumors and asked if he could confirm.  He promised that he would as soon as he could and, well, that was that.  He had accepted a position at the Hosmer School in Watertown.  

The formal announcement from Dr. Nicholson, the school superintendent, led as many people to cry "Off with his head" as those who cried "Let's move forward with level heads."  There is still no clear majority.  Apparently, there is nothing like a change in administration at the local elementary school to get the Interwebs all riled up.

I have always been one to be easily, and even happily, riled, however, I have decided to wait this one out.  What?  No pitchfork?  Where is all of this Zen coming from?  Too much yoga?  I'm really not sure, except that, in my most humble opinion, a person was offered a job that he liked better than the one that he had and he accepted it.  Happens every day.  And, frankly, I'm not really sure when it is a good time for a principal to resign or retire: there is never a guarantee of a qualified replacement when one is needed and, even when a replacement is found, there is never a guarantee that the job will be a good fit.  Case in point.

And so, I post on our Facebook page and send messages to our list to try to keep the channels of communication open.  I respond to requests from the superintendent and messages from the assistant principal.  I seek advice from and help to build consensus with PTO Board members and School Council members.  And I realize that, sigh, even though school is over, I'll have a full inbox all summer long.