The principal of Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., who made national headlines when he came out as gay this year is losing his job.
Peter Cahall notified parents and students of his impending departure Friday. He did not give a reason for his departure, but the Washington Post reported Cahall was notified his contract will not be renewed after six years at the school because of test scores.
In a letter to the D.C. Council first published by the Washington City Paper, Cahall called his dismissal "arbitrary and capricious.'' He says he wants D.C. Public Schools to be successful but that success may not be possible because of the administration's "adversarial relationship'' with school leaders.
In the letter Cahall wrote to the Wilson High School community, he said he "accepted my fate and it is now to move on to the next stage of my life."
He said he was proud of the accomplishments over the past 6 1/2 years. He said his future plans were unclear at this time.
Principals work under one-year contracts, creating turnover each year. Cahall had noted gains in test scores, and also oversaw a $120 million school modernization.
