After punishment, Lee still in charge

As Lakeside High School Principal Victor Lee nears the end of his 20-day suspension for withholding information during the hiring of the schools athletic director, its important for the schools parents, students and faculty to prepare for Lees return with one message in mind: Lee is still the principal.

Though the episode with coach Ed Koester remains as a cloud over the principal and the coach, Colulmbai County trustees and the superintendent decided Lees transgression didnt warrant his replacement. Thus, after his suspension ends, Lee will be back at Lakesides helm.

This may sound simplistic, but its a vital message to emphasize because there is a small core of parents - mostly athletic boosters - who have sought Koesters head on a platter since he, rather than an insider, got the job as head coach. Some of these parents dug up the incriminating information that led to Lees suspension.

Should they have sat on the information? Absolutely not - and if Lee hadnt likewise hidden it to begin with, he wouldnt be taking an unplanned vacation right now. But these parents must be put on notice: theyve taken their hardest shot at Lee and at Koester, but Koester is still the coach, and Lee is still the principal.

For the good of Lakeside High School, let the discord end here.

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