Bolingbrook PTA Members Think Principal's Resignation Has Run Through the 'Spin' Cycle

When the announcement was made that Michael White was resigning as Bolingbrook High School’s principal at the end of the current school year, many insiders were quick to sing his praises.

The thing about the timing of the announcement—made on Friday afternoon, Jan. 17 and first reported on Patch—is that many in the community suspect Valley View School District officials released the news heading into the MLK holiday weekend in an attempt to spin the story and work a bit of damage control.

Count Lynn Wypych in that group.

She is president of the Bolingbrook High School PTA and has one daughter who attends the school, Gabby Gentile.

Wypych’s reaction to the White resignation announcement mirrors that of the reaction shared by many others in the community.

“I am appalled to learn Mr. White has resigned,” she said. “He has made a difference at this school and has changed the behavior at the school so now the students can learn.”

White is in the middle of his second year working as Bolingbrook High School’s principal. He came to Bolingbrook in July 2012 after previously serving as principal at Ann Arbor (Mich.) Pioneer High School.

Why would he leave so soon? Many feel like he is being shown the exit door by members of the school board and Valley View School District superintendent James Mitchem because of differences in opinion over issues ranging from curriculum to personal evaluations.

Count Wypych in that group—and fellow Bolingbrook High School PTA member and parent Colleen Douty.

“I do know there was a change in math curriculum that was handed down from the top with little input from the high school,” Douty said. “Also, Mr. White (along with teachers) had many ideas of programs for school improvement that were shot down with little feedback.

“According to conversations I’ve had with Mr. White, he feels without support from the Ad-center, his ability to further improve the school was near impossible.”

Douty and Wypych have worked with others in the community to organize a petition drive and get-together from 5-9 p.m. Friday in the community room at Bolingbrook’s Fire Station No. 5, 1900 Rodeo Drive. The intent is to rally support for White and encourage residents to attend the Jan. 27 school board meeting because, as Wypych said, “it is important that our voices be heard on this very important subject.”

The board meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Valley View School District Administration Center, 755 Dalhart Ave., Romeoville. Wypych is encouraging community members to wear “white” clothing, just as she said members of the Bolingbrook High School staff did on Friday in a show of support for White.

“I strongly believe—as do others—that Mr. White was forced out,” Wypych said. “If allowed to do his job, I think he would be willing to stay. He wants to finish what he started.”

As PTA president, Wypych has advised residents to make their feelings known—via comments on Bolingbrook.Patch.com and on a newly created Facebook Page Support Mr. White!

“The fact is BHS has a reputation for being a school that you should be worried about,” said Douty in a letter to residents. “Over the past few years, I have been approached hundreds of times by parents concerned about sending their child to BHS because of this reputation.

“This year, however, the overwhelming response from new parents has been, ‘I’ve heard Mr. White has really made a difference. I feel so much better about my kid going to BHS next year.’ If Mr. White leaves, I believe the progress we’ve made will be lost and what a shame that will be.”

Douty adds one final thought at the conclusion of her letter, aimed at “those of you saying to yourself, ‘Thank goodness I don’t have a kid at BHS.’ "

“What happens in our VVSD schools affects every single person in this district,” she said. “The success of our schools has a direct correlation to property values and the growth of businesses. Everyone is a stakeholder in this situation.”

YOUR TURN: Do you think Bolingbrook Principal Michael White resigned on his own accord? Or do you think he was forced out? Let us know in the comments feed below.