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Shepherd Elementary School principal Galeet Ben Zion, PhD, was called in to meet with D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee on Friday and promptly fired. Ben Zion says she remains baffled by her dismissal.
"It was maybe a two-minute meeting, and I was told that I failed as a leader," recalled Ben Zion. When asked whether she thought she had failed as a leader, Ben Zion replied, "Not in my opinion."
Ben Zion said she was hired and fired by Rhee after a little more than three months on the job. Ben Zion's replacement will be the school's fifth principal in 12 months.
"If she thought I made a mistake, I would have liked for her to tell me what that mistake was so that we can fix it," she said.
Many parents at Shepherd Elementary in Northwest are asking 'why.' The school listserv is filled reactions, ranging from stunned and appalled to confused and ticked off.
"I feel sick sick about Dr. Ben Zion being fired," said Carol Mullholland. "There is no other way to describe it. I came very close to pulling my daughter out of the school."
"The best way to describe the sentiments of the majority of my parents ranges from being pretty upset to just outraged," said Earl Yates, the PTA president.
Parents are speculating there may have been tension with Rhee after Ben Zion raised issues about the several vacant positions at Shepherd, including spaces for two foreign language teachers and one kindergarten teacher. Mulholland says the vacancies led to students leaving her child's class.
"Three of the kids left during the first two weeks of the school year, when we had a mess with the kindergarten teacher," she said.
A spokesperson said personnel laws prevent the city from discussing specifics in regards to this most recent dismissal. Ben Zion says there was no formal review. She says she would gladly go back to work, if Rhee would take her.
"I'm there hand in hand to get the job done with her," said Ben Zion.
Mayor Fenty's office wrote to one parent, saying he backs Rhee and the her action was is in the best academic interest of students.
Rhee has been invited to speak to Shepherd Elementary parents on Thursday.
Some parents say they are reserving judgement, and will wait to see what the new principal brings.
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