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Ralston Principal to Leave at End of School Year

Scott Carson has been principal for just one year.

In a letter sent home to parents in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District Monday, co-superintendents Nellie Hungerford and Suzanne Roy announced that Ralston Middle School principal Scott Carson would not be returning for the 2013-14 school year.

The letter did not specify the reason for Carson’s departure, but did state that after deliberations, the district’s board of trustees directed staff to begin the search for a new principal so that one will be in place for the 2013-14 school year. It also stated that Carson and the Ralston leadership team would be working to ensure a smooth completion to the school year. 

Carson served as principal for the 2012-13 school year.

Upon taking the job at Ralston last May, Carson said he believed “Strong leadership requires the ability to listen to all stakeholders, forge alliances among disparate groups, and leverage a site’s strengths to assist in areas that need development.”

Prior to Ralston, Carson was the principal at a K-8 school in Pacifica.

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Jeni March 12, 2013 at 10:50 pm
It's so "awful" because when a parent has a kid who makes poor choices and bad decisions, the parents are called in to meet with the principal. So the parents on here who complain are parents whose kids are discipline problems. The other 90% of kids at the school have had nothing but positive interactions with Carson, let alone their parents. Parents can be bitter and then their comments become misguided. Again, the principal is beyond personable and engaging with the entire student body.
Tammi S. March 12, 2013 at 10:53 pm
Jeni........How dare you state that only parents with naughty kids meet with the principal!! You must be 12 or 13, you don't know anything about parent meetings with the principal.
Joan S. Dentler (Editor) March 12, 2013 at 10:55 pm
Hey Everyone.....let's stick to the topic here and avoid getting into personal attacks. This is an important issue and one that deserves public discourse, so let's keep it respectful and on-topic. Remember, your kids may be reading this too.
Tim C. March 12, 2013 at 11:01 pm
And I'm not sure how you can speak for the whole student body Jeni!!
Jeni March 12, 2013 at 11:37 pm
You're right! No more personal attacks....only objective commenting from us. Agreed.
Maria S. March 13, 2013 at 12:28 am
They are all a bunch of lazy union rats, while our kids are at the mercy of these big money contracts.
Maria S. March 13, 2013 at 12:30 am
My daughter says hers checks her phone all the time during class. Her cell not the district one.
Ryca Henry March 13, 2013 at 12:38 am
I'm not sure that calling me a "lazy union rat" qualifies as either respectful or on-topic (the principal is actually the topic of this post, and your characterization of the teachers is extremely insulting and inaccurate). Please keep the attacks out of the discussion - thank you.
Jeni March 13, 2013 at 12:56 am
Maria-is she a math teacher by any chance?
Joan S. Dentler (Editor) March 13, 2013 at 12:59 am
Another reminder to please keep your comments respectful and related to the story. Patch is a public platform for community dialogue and we welcome our users' comments. Let's keep it friendly folks.
Monique March 13, 2013 at 02:10 am
What was the point or meaning concerning "special Ed and EL services? Not sure what your comment was eluding too.
Judy Grimsby March 13, 2013 at 11:50 am
Chris your wrong about Carson standing in one place at lunch. He is out on the field, on the black top. Engaging with students . Hummm maybe he is not in the hallway because he is trying to answer all thoughs emails and call. I called the D.O. about a problem and they never returned my call either so lets dump on them also. Hu? People are busy so try again. Maybe my problem is being addressed or maybe found to be not a big deal but to me. Yes it would be nice to have a return call but a person can only do so much.
anon March 13, 2013 at 03:36 pm
BRSSD is a mess, and it is just beginning of a huge downward spiral. Look to the leadership. Always look to the leadership, a few board members, and a few principals. It can't be that hard to spot the rot. Greed, laziness, incompetence abound.
David Hasselbacher March 13, 2013 at 04:49 pm
Well said Laura and I couldn't agree more. I'm getting the feeling Mr. Carson said or did something the board didn't like and not renewing his contract is the path of least resistance for them. Just speculation on my part but choosing the path of least resistance does seem to be a trend when it comes to the BRSSD board.
Courtney Carreras March 13, 2013 at 05:03 pm
I also checked in with my two Ralston students about Mr Carson's interaction with the students. He helped out my 6th grader between classes as she struggled to carry all of her books. They also report that he does indeed engage with kids during lunch and does not just stand there. I heard good things about what Mr.Carson was trying to do at Ralston, especially with regards to fixing the Math department. I think we definitely should have given him more of a chance. I'm looking forward to hearing more details.
John March 13, 2013 at 05:09 pm
They love good Vacation pay only, it is the reason they could care less about health benefits most have no children.
Melinda March 13, 2013 at 09:53 pm
John, who are you talking about? The board all have children and a lot of the Principals do as well. There are a lot of great staff members at Ralston. There are many that will go the extra mile. I just feel that there are a few teachers that ruin the new and energetic teachers . Ralston has had a bad reputation for many years. I have two kids, one at Carlmont and one at Ralston. In elementary school we were warned about Ralston, and after seeing Carlmont, I am seeing why Ralston has such a bad rep. The teachers think they own the District. They are given way too much power. Education doesn't mean you know everything. I am sure you all do not know the entire story. I am sure Mr. Carson knows why he is being let go, I am sure he wasn't surprised. Come on Ralston staff......use your educated minds and get a clue.
Melinda March 13, 2013 at 09:54 pm
John, who are you talking about? The board all have children and a lot of the Principals do as well. There are a lot of great staff members at Ralston. There are many that will go the extra mile. I just feel that there are a few teachers that ruin the new and energetic teachers . Ralston has had a bad reputation for many years. I have two kids, one at Carlmont and one at Ralston. In elementary school we were warned about Ralston, and after seeing Carlmont, I am seeing why Ralston has such a bad rep. The teachers think they own the District. They are given way too much power. Education doesn't mean you know everything. I am sure you all do not know the entire story. I am sure Mr. Carson knows why he is being let go, I am sure he wasn't surprised. Come on Ralston staff......use your educated minds and get a clue.
anon March 13, 2013 at 10:57 pm
It's the board and their love for politics over students, and some of the principals who seem not to care about students at all, that are the problem. Everyone know that.
Nan March 14, 2013 at 12:03 am
Melinda.......I agree with your statement. Maybe the new teachers feel bullied by the "few teachers." I too believe Mr. Carson was not surprised!
I am hoping that teachers will focus their time and energy on teaching our children instead of talking to them about this issue!
Kim March 14, 2013 at 12:49 am
Great point Nan, I am disappointed that my child has to hear about this from a few teachers....class time is for learning not for teachers to bitch about Mr. Carson's injustice. And if Mr. Carson is such a great administrator, why is he not nipping this in the butt, very professional, all of you, you know who you are.....starting to believe rumors about Ralston teachers are true. How unfortunate for our children. Can't wait to get to Carlmont.
TAR March 14, 2013 at 10:40 am
To, have you ever seen the halls during passing periods at Ralston? I have, first hand, it is not safe, there should be admin and teachers out there EVERY passing period, not this Admin team. Mr. Sanchez is the only visible one in the halls, Where are the other two, I don't see them.......I have seen first hand the dangers in the hall? Have you? Let it be your child that gets hurt, then you will be singing a new tune.
L March 14, 2013 at 03:30 pm
Aaron, Kim and Nan,
Why do you forbid teachers from communicating about this issue? Their job of teaching our kids is directly affected by the principal and his/her policies, so they should absolutely have a voice. All this nonsense about "they should be teaching instead of speaking out" is assuming that they are robots only capable of lecturing on their topic, and should not get involved in anything else in their school. They ARE part of the community, and I do not mind if they participate through social media during breaks or even when the students are reading their assignment in class. I also think Jeni called it like it is. The parents who only blame the school for their own kids' issues are the ones who are always going to complain. Blaming the teachers, the school, and the principal is much easier than paying attention and actually parenting. Basically...."if only the Principal would return my phone calls...Johny would start bringing home straight As, so the school is all messed up". I urge everyone to get involved. And please do not tell teachers that they do not have a voice, or when they can speak.
holly March 14, 2013 at 06:58 pm
Wow!There are some real hatters in here! What is really disappointing is it seems that people feel really let down by our public education system all together...board members,superintendents, principals and teachers. There could be any and all kinds of reasons why this principal is not being brought back. Maybe he is unprofessional, maybe he's not moving in the direction others around him would like to go, maybe he rubs some people the wrong way, maybe there is no real reason, but the powers-that-be have someone else in mind. The district is under no obligation to tell him why...that's just how it goes, so why does everyone feel the need to speculate? I'm sorry that Ralston has some issues with teachers (it sounds like from the Math department). Let remind everyone out there that having a job like teaching is like any other job out there except for two areas; 1. you are dealing with kids, so teachers performance is always going to be placed under a microscope for everyone to scrutinize; 2. teacher salary is terrible, especially for the amount of education a teacher needs just to get in the classroom. But just like any other job there are going to be the "go-getters" and the "I'm going to show up a just do my job" type of employees. Every business is made up of people like this..not everyone is perfect, but I'm sure everyone does their job at some level. Remember your child's education starts and ends with YOU parents, not just your teachers. Please appreciate what you have.
Judy Grimsby March 14, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Just in case you don't know, Carlmont does not hold your childs hand, so enjoy Middle School.
Judy Grimsby March 14, 2013 at 10:49 pm
Parents need to be the parents not the school. Most are doing a great job.
Judy Grimsby March 14, 2013 at 10:51 pm
would comment but it wouldn't be nice.
Judy Grimsby March 14, 2013 at 10:56 pm
A-men. As a parent of two kids who have successful made it through Ralston and myself included as a graduate your childs education begins at home. So don't dump your troubles on teachers, principal. It's YOUR job to raise your child. Take pride in your school.
TaxpayerinBelmont March 16, 2013 at 05:37 pm
The recent electives to students at Ralston are wonderful. It is too bad that some of them are not guaranteed as there may not be enough funding in the district.
If our tax dollars weren't paying for 2 co-superintendents at a cost of almost $400,00, maybe these electives could be funded.
Susie April 16, 2013 at 02:18 am
Really..... Your more naive than I thought.......staff members Gave input....... You think the list of names is going to be published? REALLY!!!!

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