Principal's letter costs him job
Feb-03-2010

The now-demoted Southwest Valley principal who wrote an e-mail mocking students said Tuesday that his phony letter to parents was meant as an inside joke that expressed the views of a mutual acquaintance - not his own.

Ron Sterr's e-mail ended up in Litchfield Elementary School parents' hands after a teacher printed the note and sent it home with her second-graders.

But Litchfield Elementary School District officials were not amused.

On Monday, Sterr was reassigned to the district's office, Board President Shawn Watt said. Sterr, who is on administrative leave, will not be returning to Litchfield Elementary School, district officials confirmed.

Sterr also was the planning principal for Mabel Padgett Elementary School, a K-5 campus under construction in Goodyear set to open in July. He is not expected to keep that assignment, a letter sent to parents Tuesday afternoon indicates.

It is unclear how long Sterr will be on leave, but Superintendent Julianne Lein said "further disciplinary action is pending."

In an e-mail to a second-grade teacher at Litchfield Elementary, Sterr commented on the "idiocy" of children unable to finish simple math homework.

He went on to say, "If your child is one of the mediocre few who excels on the homework, please congratulate them with a warm handshake . . . since finishing this homework is the equivalent of a twenty-year-old wanting to be congratulated for knowing how to tie his shoes."

Sterr also made fun of students with food allergies and a child with a "nervous tick."

The teacher printed out the e-mail and sent home the letter with her students on Jan. 26.

Reached Tuesday, Sterr said the e-mail was only intended for one teacher's viewing and described it as "an attempt with her to make light of the situation."

The e-mail was a parody about "a difficult person she and I had dealt with before who believed and espoused those views," Sterr said. "Clearly, they were over the top and we felt they were rather extreme."

In a written statement Tuesday, Superintendent Julianne Lein said the comments "were unacceptable" and that the district "renders its most sincere apology" to the community.

District administration said Sterr initially denied sending the e-mail, but eventually took responsibility and called the second-grade parents to apologize.

Beth Jordan, president of the school's Parent Teacher Student Association, said parents are legitimately angry about Sterr's letter. But Jordan also noted Sterr was a great leader of a "highly performing" school.

Jordan, a PTSA member for three years, said she knows Sterr personally and professionally.

"It wasn't to mock the kids. There was no malice involved," she said. "I would hate to see us run someone out of the profession because of one mistake."

Sterr, who has worked at the district since 2006, said he regrets sending the e-mail and explained to parents it was not meant "to mock any of the children." He said the e-mail did not represent his view of any student and reiterated that it was "intended as satire."

Watt, the board president, agreed with the punishment Sterr received, but added, "I think we've all made mistakes in our lives. It's an extremely unfortunate situation.

"I do believe that we've taken the right action to address the situation and the concerns of the parents and staff at the school," he said.

Litchfield Elementary's Transitional Principal Mary Ann Hartwick is serving as the school's acting principal.

Posted by jc at 8:55 PM - Link to this entry  |  Share this entry  |  Print