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Editorial: Moving Pinellas principal after racial remark was correct

 
Velma Newmon, 49, of St. Petersburg, shows Dianna Doyle, 18, and Jo Davis, 61, a copy of the guidelines written by Campbell Park Elementary principal Christine Hoffman as Newmon protests outside the school on April 24. Hoffman was later removed. [LARA CERRI   |   Times]
Velma Newmon, 49, of St. Petersburg, shows Dianna Doyle, 18, and Jo Davis, 61, a copy of the guidelines written by Campbell Park Elementary principal Christine Hoffman as Newmon protests outside the school on April 24. Hoffman was later removed. [LARA CERRI | Times]
Published April 28, 2017

The principal of a south St. Petersburg elementary school who sent a racially inappropriate directive to her staff was quickly moved out of the school, the right outcome and a reminder that words matter.

Christine Hoffman, who was promoted this year from assistant principal at Campbell Park Elementary, told the staff of the predominantly black school that when creating classroom rosters, "white students should be in the same class," along with other instructions about combining students with a mix of reading skills and an equal number of boys and girls. She later clarified that she meant she did not want only one white child to be placed in a class.

It's illegal under federal law for public schools to segregate students on the basis of race. What's more, the email reflected an insensitivity by a white principal tasked with leading a mostly black, mostly poor school. Campbell Park was one of five south St. Petersburg schools featured in the Times' 2015 "Failure Factories" series that became among the worst in the state after the district abandoned integration efforts and failed to follow up with promised resources and support. The school is still struggling — it received an F from the state in 2016 — and should be led by someone who is more sensitive to the impact that inappropriate remarks about race can have, regardless of intent.

Hoffman apologized and offered to meet with Campbell Park parents, but the relationship was irreparably harmed. Superintendent Mike Grego did the right thing by removing her from the school and elevating an assistant principal. It's the best result for Campbell Park students.