Months after rape incident, Walker Middle School will get new principal

Updated 6 p.m.

TAMPA -- When Walker Middle School makes a fresh start in August, it will do so with a new principal.

Kathleen Hoffman, who led the school through its hardest spring following allegations of a brutal locker room rape, will retire this summer from the Hillsborough County schools.

Four students have pleaded not guilty to adult charges of sexual battery, accused of raping a 13-year-old classmate on four occasions at the school with a broom and hockey stick.

But Lewis Brinson, assistant superintendent for administration, said Hoffman had been considering retirement for some time, and her decision had nothing to do with the locker room incident.

"She told me it did not," Brinson said. "And I can only take her word for it."

Hoffman could not be reached for comment.

On Tuesday the School Board is slated to chose a successor to lead the Odessa school. Brinson said a replacement has not yet been chosen, with final interviews scheduled for Monday.

Among the candidates are eight assistant principals in the Hillsborough County school district, as well as a substitute teacher and another employee. Three principals from Pennsylvania and Georgia, as well as assistant principals from Ohio and Polk County, have also applied.

-- Tom Marshall, Times Staff Writer

Applicants to lead Walker Middle School

Chris Woolley, assistant principal, Greco Middle

Lespy Nelson, assistant principal, Rampello Middle

Kent Glover, assistant principal, Alonso High

Sandy Bailey, assistant principal, Burnette Middle

Kenneth Hart, assistant principal for administration, Madison Middle

Ross Boyd, assistant principal for curriculum, Monroe Middle

Connie Hicks, assistant principal, Dowdell Middle

Lucy White, assistant principal, Liberty Middle

Eric Palmu, substitute teacher

Donna Manco-Martin, principal, Pennsylvania

Cheryl Fox-Webber, Tarpon Springs

Abraham Hardee, assistant principal, Jewett Middle Academy, Polk County

Gregory Soos, assistant principal, Ohio

Mark Sanders, principal, Pennsylvania

Jill Dorsett, principal, Ohio

Comments

[Jen]

Thanks for the list! It looks like Walker will get a principal who knows how to run a middle school. Now, what about NCT?

[Tom Marshall]

Jennifer - If you or anyone else has information on that petition, I'd like very much to speak with them. Please send me a note or give me a call.

Thanks,

Tom Marshall
St. Petersburg Times
tmarshall@sptimes.com
(813)226-3400

[Jennifer]

My understanding is that a letter of petition signed by a large portion of the faculty was submitted to the district asking her to resign. I believe it included prominent parent signatures as well. The district basically passed the request on to her, and I don't think she would have had very good prospects had she chose to stay. Apparently, she wasn't very well liked by the teachers and was perceived as a bit of a bully herself. Even though this would seem more of an excuse to get rid of her than placing responsibility for what happened, the two were possibly linked. Everyone knows in the system that if a majority of a faculty lacks respect for their administration, a school-wide decline in effort occurs. Apathy, bitterness, and a general lack of investment become the norm. Put in a quality principal, one who inspires, leads, motivates and encouirages the teachers and faculty to be the best they can be. Things will turn around quick.

[Agnes]

There are so many criminals going to public schools that it isn't funny. Juvenile criminals are running rampart. I am sure the school board hinted to her to retire. I guess someone these days has to face the bullet. Everything will be fine now.

[Jen]

Who are the candidates, please? And who are the applicants for the Nature Coast principal position?

[Steve]

I'm sorry to say that Ms. Hoffman had to go--and she should have been released. She did not "lead" this school. In fact, it is clear that she was not competent to lead anything if what is alleged to have occurred is true. She failed the victim and she failed the entire community. Others should also be gone. The school board should have fired them due to incompetence and placing students at risk immediately. This is a whitewash.