Save Hamilton K-8

I have started this petition in order to get a head count to have the principal of our k-8 school Paul Kankowski, removed from his position.

Here is the story as published today in the Press Enterprise.

Hemet school district officials are investigating the conduct of Hamilton Elementary School principal Paul Kankowski, who was accused Tuesday of manipulating his own and his students' attendance records, threatening parents, retaliating against staff and handling discipline unevenly.

Eleven people criticized Kankowski while speaking to the school board at Tuesday's meeting.

Afterward, Deputy Superintendent Mary Wulfsberg said an investigation was already under way into Kankowski, who is in his first year as principal at the rural school in Anza.

Kankowski did not return two phone messages seeking comment that were left during school hours Tuesday.

"I would like to see the administration get to the bottom of this," trustee Marilyn Forst said.

Kris Wood, a first-grade teacher at Hamilton, read a letter that accused Kankowski of, among other things:

Manipulating student records to falsely show higher attendance, which would bring the school more money.

Leaving campus to watch basketball on TV at a local cafe.

Yelling at, belittling, threatening and retaliating against staff.

Driving his own children around a trailer park in Anza to show them how the "other half" lives and telling his staff about it.

Wood later said she was told by Kankowski's secretary that the principal ordered the secretary to manipulate his own attendance records.

Other parents told trustees that Kankowski had threatened to call a truant officer and Riverside County child protective services if the parents did not bring their chronically ill children to school to be examined by staff there.

Parent Esther Barragan described Kankowski as an "overpriced, under-experienced principal."

Reach Brian Rokos at 951-763-3464 or [email protected]