Poll: McDowell principal hiring botched

A majority of respondents in an online Argus-Courier poll said that the Petaluma City Schools District did not properly handle the hiring of a new principal at McDowell Elementary School to replace intern principal Dan Noble. More than 95 percent said the school district did not handle the hiring well, including not listening to parents and staff, who supported Noble. Less than 5 percent said the district handled the hiring properly.

Here are some comments:

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“The board totally disregarded any opinions other than their own. They are supposed to be there to support their constituents to the best of their ability. They are clearly working on their own agenda.”

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“An educated decision should be made in any job hiring. A man who has dedicated his year to change and building staff morale, should not be dismissed lightly. I’m hoping that further thought goes into this decision, for the sake of the students and their teachers.”

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“As usual the powers that be don’t listen to the ones that have first-hand experience. Let Mr. Noble keep his post.”

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“Clearly they didn’t properly handle the process, not because of who they chose, but because so many people are upset. The members of McDowell community feel ignored and dismissed, with no site visits and no communication, and a decision made despite a strong showing of support for Dan Noble. The message they received was that the Board didn’t care what the community wanted, and really only showed interest after they started getting flak. I’m sure they had reasons why they made the choice they did, but the process needs to be more transparent for the affected community.”

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“Dan Noble has been a tremendous. He should definitely be rehired.”

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“Dan Noble is a great intern principal and he should have been hired for the permanent position. He made a lot of positive changes and did a lot for the school and families in that short time. It was really a shock hearing a new principal would be hired, someone who isn’t even from Sonoma County. I am a bit disappointed in the superintendent as well as the board. ”

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“How would we really know? So some parents approve of the guy. Obviously the decision was made using different criteria. That happens in life.”

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“I feel that teacher’s recommendations should have top weight since they will be the people working with this person day in and day out. Both people are qualified, but personal relationships are the most important, and community commitment should be considered.”

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“It seems as though the school board is completely disregarding the community’s and teachers opinions on this matter.”

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“When an administrator can galvanize a school community in so little time, it feels short-sighted of the district to allow such a leader to get away for any reason.”