Kent school principals lambast district leadership in letter to school board

School principals in Kent are calling out the superintendent and other district officials for poor leadership. In a scathing letter to the school board, the Kent Principals Association said district executives regularly undermine, ignore or fail to communicate with principals.

Principals Association President Jim Schiechl, the principal at Mattson Middle School, acknowledged that it’s highly unusual for school principals to issue a formal rebuke of their higher-ups.

Schiechl declined to elaborate on the principals' complaints, and said his association didn't intend to make the letter public. It was released through a public records request.

“As members of the district leadership team, we remain committed to working through internal channels," Schiechl said.

"Our letter speaks for itself, as does our commitment to our students, our staff, and our community.”

Among other things, the letter said Superintendent Calvin Watts missed key meetings and didn’t often visit schools, and district leaders excluded principals from budget discussions and decision-making, made principals appear incompetent to the public, and failed to help schools handle students with behavioral challenges.

The Kent teachers’ union recently reaffirmed its 2018 no-confidence vote in Watts.

Some district parents also recently filed suit against district leaders for financial mismanagement.

In a letter responding to the principals’ association, district officials made suggestions for better communication – but admitted no wrongdoing.

Watts issued a written statement to KUOW that said district leaders "are committed to continuous improvement and feedback from our team members and colleagues.

"Both individually and as a group, we take constructive criticisms seriously as this is part of the performance culture we are co-creating," Watts said.

The Kent School District has dealt with years of financial problems, and plans to make further school staffing cuts next school year.