I was asked to introduce our new principal at last Thursday's BBQ/potluck, and unfortunately my comments caused quite a stir among some of those present.  Inappropriate, insulting, even rude - those were what some thought.  So allow me to respond to those concerns.

First, almost as soon as I stepped down after speaking, I thought to myself "Gee, that didnt quite come out as I had intended."  My intention was to acknowledge that many students, staff, and parents (who organized the activity, after all) were still upset about how our very popular and effective former principal was summarily removed by the district, despite extensive protests against that action.  I also wanted to acknowledge that many of those same people remain suspicious about the district's ultimate plans for our school, and therefore are somewhat uncertain as to what to expect from Dr. Garcia.  I felt it was important to acknowledge these feelings as a necessary step towards moving forward.

But I then tried to make it clear that Dr. Garica had nothing to do with Dr. Ankeney's removal, that we shouldn't blame her for any of it, and that we should all give her the benefit of the doubt in terms of her own intentions and plans for IS.  I wanted to say that she seemed to be a good person, with an amazing background, and was well-qualified for the position.  Therefore, I said, we should all work with her to ensure that she comes to love IS as much as we do. 

That part didn't seem to come through very clearly; I suppose some folks were still focused on the negative memories and doubts brought up in the first part of my comments, and kind of missed my overall point at the end.  The fact is that I often write and speak in this fashion:  Starting with one way of looking at things, but then finishing with the other side, which is usually my own opinion or the overall point I'd like people to walk away with.  Sometimes people don't really "get" that approach, and then again sometimes I don't do a good job of presenting it; either way, some people ended up confused about what I was really trying to get across.

I don't think I was insulting or rude.  While I mentioned some things people were concerned she might do or represent, I didn't accuse Dr. Garcia of anything; I didn't blame her for anything; I didn't call her any bad names.  But I agree that my comments were somewhat inappropriate as  1) they were too easily mis-interpreted by the audience, and  2) I did not focus enough on the positives of having Dr. Garica join IS.  Some things came out more negatively than I had intended, and I forgot to mention some of the positives that I had planned to say.  Dr. Garcia didn't get the warm welcome that she deserved and that the parent group had wanted.  So yeah, I would've liked to have a "do over" on that whole thing. 

I almost immediately apologized to Dr. Garcia for any wrong impression my comments might have given, and clarified what they were intended to do.  And so here I am clarifying and apologizing to everyone else. 

Just to be sure:  Dr. Garcia seems to be a genuinely nice person.  She has an amazing and admirable personal history, and seems to be well-qualified to lead our school.  We cannot, after all, truly know what conflicts might arise between what she wants to do for the school and any plans the district has in that regard - but she deserves the benefit of the doubt and our full support.  As much as we all loved Dr. Ankeney and think he got a raw deal, I, for one, am happy to see this young, fresh, passionate new leader at our school.