Principal Lofstrand to Return Mar. 13

Lofstrand has been principal of DHS for three years.

Lofstrand has been principal of DHS for three years.

Sasha Grow

On Mar. 6, an email was sent to the Decatur High School (DHS) staff, informing them that Principal Rochelle Lofstrand will return to her position on Mar. 13, about two months after being reassigned by City Schools of Decatur.

Lofstrand’s reassignment followed an incident in which a 9th-grade physics teacher used a racial slur in a classroom. The teacher was reassigned by City Schools of Decatur as well.

Another email was sent Mar. 7 from Duane Sprull, interim principal of DHS, on behalf of Superintendent Maggie Fehrman including a timeline of the situation and steps that will be taken to repair the damage done. It briefly mentions Lofstrand’s return and the existence of a plan for her re-entry.

Two days later, Sprull sent a third email to DHS recipients with the specifics of the re-entry plan for Lofstrand. 

“Principal Lofstrand will reconnect with the school community gradually with relationship being her foremost goal,” Sprull said in the email.

Lastly, “restorative practice protocols” will be used during Lofstrand’s return. These protocols have reportedly been in use since 2018.

“The intent of these practices is to proactively build healthy relationships and support a sense of community to prevent and address conflict and wrongdoing,” said the email. 

Restorative meetings will occur with Lofstrand and any groups or individuals interested. Parent/admin groups that may be a part of restorative meetings with Lofstrand include the Black Affinity Group, Admin Team, Equity Team, Instructional Leadership Team, and the Science Department. Student groups that may be a part of the meetings include Black Student Union, Student Government, and Student Advisory Group. Parent groups that may be a part of the meetings include Student Leadership Team (SLT), Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and parents involved in the original incident.