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Makaha principal Parents, teachers and students at Makaha Elementary School learned this morning that principal Clarence De Lude, who had been the subject of complaints and calls for his removal, had been replaced.
is replaced
The schools superintendent says
Clarence De Lude was not fired but was
removed to 'defuse the situation'By Crystal Kua
Star-Bulletin"I think there is a need to defuse the situation when the school becomes a battleground, my job is to protect the school," said Schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu.
"We are exploring options to defuse the situation and create a cooling-off period."
LeMahieu emphasized that De Lude was not fired.
He said the department was looking at different options including reassigning him to another position temporarily.
De Lude, who was named Makaha principal in January, met with Department of Education personnel officials today and declined comment on his situation.
"I'm glad he's out," said one parent who asked that she not be identified.
But Kumuna Tenorio, a part-time Hawaiian Studies teacher hired this school year said he is sorry that De Lude was replaced.
"I think it's sad," said Tenorio, a Makaha resident. "Mr. De Lude is a nice person; he is very aloha."
De Lude's critics included many of the schools' teachers and parents and other community members.
Some said his management style caused chaos, dissension and a lack of communication, leading to teachers threatening to transfer from the school because of low teacher morale.
Others said that De Lude's focus on reading came at the expense of other subjects.
De Lude, however, has said that his goal was to improve reading, math and attendance at the school.
The conflict at the school first came to public light when supporters of a popular farm program appeared before the Board of Education to complain that De Lude was severing ties with the program at Hoa 'Aina O Makaha farm, which is located adjacent to the school.
Students learned science through farm activities.
De Lude has said he had liability and legal concerns about the contract with the farm.
Ironically, today was the first day under a new contract between the school and the farm. Luigi "Gigi" Cocquio, manager of the non-profit farm, said that although he has been a critic of De Lude, it's a shame things turned out the way they did.
"It's hard. This is not a celebration. We should look out for the education of the children," he said.
Bruce Naguwa, Leeward deputy district superintendent, was on campus this morning to assist acting principal Karen Ueyama.
"We really want to make sure kids aren't affected," Naguwa said. "Everything will remain status quo during the transition period."
Ueyama had been acting principal at Makaha just prior to De Lude coming on board earlier this year.
Naguwa said Ueyama's stint is temporary.
Board of Education member Winston Sakurai said he supports LeMahieu's decision.
"It was his call at making changes if necessary," Sakurai said. "He had to make a decision to move the school forward. ... Personally, I think he had to do what he had to do."
Tony Turbeville, a teacher at Makaha Elementary School and one of De Lude's critics, said solutions should have come sooner.
"It's a shame it had to come down to this," Turbeville said last night. "Clarence has great energy and terrific devotion to the kids and I wish him well. I think if it had been addressed in the spring, there would have been other options."
Sakurai said the board wants to make sure the school and its students achieve success.
"I think we need to bring the school back together again," Sakurai said. "We want to make sure in the end that students are achieving, learning and growing."
Leeward District Superintendent Hazel Sumile said a change in leadership means members of the school and community can mend their differences and come together for the good of the students.
"We're hoping that the healing process can begin," Sumile said last night.