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Several supporters of an embattled Leeward District principal told the Board of Education last night that they believe Clarence De Lude was wrongly removed from his post at Makaha Elementary earlier this month. ‘Bring back
our principal’By Crystal Kua
Star-Bulletin"I plead that you reinstate Mr. Clarence De Lude," Waianae Coast resident Sharon Akana told the board.
De Lude was removed as Makaha Elementary School principal on Oct. 9 after a group of teachers, parents and community members complained about his heavy-handed management style and demanded a change.
The complaints began after De Lude sought to cut academic ties between the school and an adjacent farm.
Wearing paper badges saying "return principal De Lude," his supporters stressed last night that De Lude's goal was to improve reading at Makaha and along the Waianae Coast. They said they had a petition with more than 1,400 signatures in support of him.
State Schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu said last night De Lude remains on leave until the "best arrangements possible" can be made for him. "I'd like to treat everyone as fairly as possible."
Michelle Kaaihue, a mother of two students there, said she wants the school-farm relationship to continue but that she also would like for De Lude to return, provided that he and the staff can come together.