2011 Flashback: Kenwood Principal Controversy Rouses Parents

Looking back at 2011, there were a handful of hot-button controversies and events that energized the Clawson community. One lesson learned: Anything associated with the school district is a serious matter for local parents.

This was evident in early June when Patch reported about Clawson School District Superintendent Cheryl Roger's unilateral decision to appoint Principal Patricia Pell as principal of both and Schalm. Many parents were outraged and voiced their  

Kenwood PTA members said the district made the appointments without notifying parents, even after district officials told them they would form a parent committee to help with the selection of a new principal. The previous Kenwood principal, , retired this year after 14 years of working in the district.

The parents' voices made an impact. The following day, Rogers rescinded her decision after Pell opted out of the two-school job.

"Maybe she felt she would never be accepted (at Kenwood)," Rogers said June 14.

In July, the school district as an interim principal for Kenwood and postponed hiring a permanent principal. Lewis is a former elementary principal from the Berkley and Farmington school districts.

Rogers said she plans to talk to the Kenwood community before beginning the search for a permanent principal.