By Jeffrey S. Solochek, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
LACOOCHEE — After a two week investigation, Karen Marler is being removed as principal of Lacoochee Elementary. She will be reassigned as a principal on assignment working with migrant families on the east side of Pasco County.
Shirley Ray, assistant principal at Seven Oaks Elementary School, has been appointed interim principal of Lacoochee effective Wednesday.
Superintendent Heather Fiorentino announced the change this morning, just before a School Board meeting. She has spent the past two weeks getting information relating to complaints about Marler's management.
District administrators had interviewed dozens of people involved with Lacoochee Elementary School to determine whether the grievances aired against Marler are valid. The details of the concerns have not been made public.
Marler, the school's principal since 2004, was the subject of a similar climate study three years ago. She was not removed from the school during that review, although she was required to change some of her management practices, district officials said.
While Marler's critics have remained tight-lipped publicly, her backers have made a high profile showing of their support.
Last week they picketed peacefully outside the school at dropoff and pickup time, collected hundreds of signatures on a petition and wrote letters to school district leaders. They upped the ante by calling in local newspaper and television reporters, who have shown up to document moms and kids waving signs and wearing shirts proclaiming their support for Marler.
Marler's supporters were disappointed Tuesday by the announcement.
"I was truly hoping she would stay," community activist Judy Geiger said. "But she's still in the area."