Board President John Laverty’s Comments – August 8th, 2016, Board of Education Meeting On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank Dr. Buck, our attorneys, and other administrators who have worked and continue to work through the issues surrounding this situation. As a parent of Washington High School students, as are several other Board members, and friends with numerous parents and staff at the school, I can tell you the past few weeks have not been easy. However, given the facts known at this time by the Board, our Superintendent and legal counsel, it is without any doubt that the appropriate steps have been taken. The entire Board, including Mary Meisterling and Keith Westercamp who could not be with us tonight, share this sentiment. Dr. Plagman was presented the facts as known at the time and both he and the District agreed that it was in the best interests of both parties that he not return for the 2016-2017 school year. Dr. Plagman made the choice to retire early when presented the facts. I want to clarify that the School Board did not force Dr. Plagman to resign. It is critical that we all remember a student was at the heart of the matter; a student who has experienced something none of us as parents would wish for our own child. School administrators have a responsibility under the law and Board policy to take such allegations seriously and begin a process at the highest levels to ensure due process, impartiality, and utmost the safety and wellbeing of students. Those of you from Washington know me and others of us on the Board and our children—know that not one of us takes this situation lightly. We understand the circumstances of Dr. Plagman’s departure from Washington is not how most of us would have expected or wanted it to happen. However, I can assure you that Washington High School will move forward as strong as or stronger than ever. We have high expectations that Dr. Buck and his team will work diligently to find a strong interim principal for the coming school year and an outstanding permanent principal for the next school year with your input and support. As many parents and others have posted on social media in recent days, it’s important we all work together to move forward, to support each other and the amazing staff at Wash. Because this is a confidential student and personnel matter with numerous legal counsel involved, the Board will not be able to respond directly to every question posed to us. However, as anyone who has reached out to me personally in the last couple of weeks knows, I am happy to discuss what I can with any of you. We have also directed our attorneys and Dr. Buck to communicate any findings or information as soon as possible to the Board and public as allowed within the law. On a personal note, although we have clearly heard and read the comments of concern regarding Dr. Plagman’s departure, we also want to thank the many who have held back judgement, and to those who have reached out to the Washington High School staff, students, district, and Board with understanding. We all thank you.