Principal Gohl Departs McKinley

By Ashley McBride

At a time when we should be celebrating the first graduating class of the new McKinley and the end of the school year, we are stricken with the news that Daniel Gohl will not be returning as our principal next year.

The final decision to leave McKinley was made on Monday, June 11th and a letter was prepared for the faculty and students on Wednesday.

"The students' attitudes are a mixture of sadness, disappointment, and congratulations," Gohl said. "I will miss the talks in the hallways with the students and sharing their happiness."

Gohl is now the Executive Director of Secondary School Transformation and is in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He will be overseeing the transformation of Anacostia, Ballou, Bell Multicultural, Coolidge, Eastern, MM Washington, Roosevelt, Spingarn, and HD Woodson Senior High Schools and 19 middle schools.

"The opportunity to change the culture of schools across the District is very unique," Gohl said. "The mayor will support radical changes in how high schools are run. It's an opportunity to be creative in addressing low performing high schools."

Gohl moved to DC in January 2002 with hopes of being the founding principal of the new McKinley. The school was scheduled to open in September of 2003, but the city government withdrew from the project. The opening of the school was pushed back a year, but soon after there was the question of whether McKinley would open at all.

"I had to learn how to be persistent and listen at a much deeper and compassionate level," Gohl said. "It was a wonderfully humbling experience."

The panel to interview candidates for the new principal will be composed of five parents elected through the PTA, five teachers elected through the WTU, two classified staff members, two students through the SGA, three regional superintendent appointees, one school partner elected by the principal, and one member of the ANC 5C02. As of now, the panel interviews will be held on Tuesday, June 19.

Although he will be leaving McKinley, Gohl will never forget all the memories and experiences he had here.

"I anticipate being involved and attending McKinley events for the rest of my life," he said.

By Anna Kinsman |  June 14, 2007; 11:54 AM ET News
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