Home Madison Sherman Principal Resigns Following Scathing Criticism from Outgoing Teacher

Sherman Principal Resigns Following Scathing Criticism from Outgoing Teacher

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Sherman Middle School Principal Kristin Foreman has stepped down from her position at the school, but not the district, one week after an outgoing teacher levied a number of allegations against her in a long blog post.

“After reflection over the last several days, I have come to the conclusion that given the current context, the best decision for me and for Sherman is for me to leave my position as principal,” Foreman wrote in a letter to staff and parents Monday.

“I have learned immensely from this community and will remain dedicated to working for the success of all students,” she wrote. “I know that Sherman is a strong school and will have a very bright future.”

In an email to Madison365, Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham said Foreman would still have a job with the school system.

“We are working with Kristin to find her another position in the district,” she wrote. “We respect Kristin’s decision, and we also believe she has the desire, skills and ability to continue to contribute to our district. We’ll work to identify an interim principal for next year in the coming weeks, and Kristin will work to ensure a smooth transition and provide full support to the Sherman community.”

Karen Vieth, who said she was leaving Sherman after 16 years, alleged that Foreman was often absent from school during important times, including that she regularly came to school late and left early. She also pointed to a number of behavior issues following the implementation of new behavior policies by the district, and said Foreman was often dismissive. She offered no evidence to support these allegations and did not indicate that she had taken her concerns up with anyone in the district.

Many teachers and education advocates shared the blog on social media as evidence of failures on the part of Madison Metropolitan School District, but many Black advocates also pointed out that the white teacher, after already resigning from the school district, may have been unfairly taking out her frustrations on a Black principal.

“Black children especially have been failed in our local school district and I have never NOT ONCE since I’ve lived in Madison seen a principal dragged for their leadership the way I’ve just read,” wrote Progress Center for Black Women founder Sabrina Madison after reading Vieth’s blog.

Foreman could not be reached for comment Monday.