Editorial: District rushed principal hiring process

Although much of the debate surrounding the new principal at Gabilan Hills Elementary School touches on gray areas and matters of perspective – including allegations of racial insensitivity – it is clear that the Hollister School District failed to thoroughly scrutinize its candidates and new leader.
Allegations from parents at the school – who took their claims to the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens – sparked a call for action that included placing new Principal Scott Wilbur on leave during an investigation of the district’s hiring process.
Wilbur is the central figure in a letter sent from LULAC to the district – the organization and several parents spoke directly to trustees at a recent meeting – which outlines an array of somewhat vague allegations regarding the principal’s behavior toward students and parents. Those complaints largely allege that Wilbur is too harsh in his approach. But at the same time, neither LULAC nor the parents have any sort of smoking gun when it comes to a particular instance, behavioral pattern or piece of evidence that underscores a tendency of inappropriate activities by the principal.
There have been, however, some important lessons learned that demand immediate corrective action.
Superintendent Gary McIntire and other district leaders admittedly rushed the hiring process after the school board’s late decision to bring on a principal at Gabilan Hills, after three prior years with one principal overseeing that school and the Dual Language Academy on the same campus. Since the campus got by with one principal for three years, it could have gotten by for another month or two with one leader, giving the district time to properly vet and interview all of its candidates.
In that sense, and considering Wilbur’s recent history of abrupt resignations from other Southern California principal positions, LULAC has a fair argument against the district about the hiring process and its result.
The debate also reveals problems with security on the campus. It was most surprising to learn of a cultural tradition at Gabilan Hills involving some parents spending the lunch hour with their children. The district must implement a strict policy against such parents being allowed on campus for any sort of extended time, including the lunch hour. It is an extraordinarily dangerous precedent. It puts the district at risk of severe liability. And it is an unhealthy, awkward social environment for students.
Although there is no clear evidence of racial insensitivity – as alleged by LULAC – the group’s criticism has shed light on a bungled process and a need for changes.