Petition to Investigate the removal of Principal Lisa Ryder

We, the families, community members, and PTO members of Carmel Creek School, hereby petition for an investigation of the removal of Principal Lisa Ryder and petition for her return to official duties as the Principal of Carmel Creek School, effective immediately.

We were told by Superintendent Jodee Brentlinger that on May 10, 2021, Mrs. Ryder was removed from her duties as Principal due to “unforeseen circumstances.” We, the Community, hereby request an investigation into and the disclosure of these "unforeseen circumstances" which led to such the abrupt dismissal and removal of Principal Ryder. These actions have left our Community with many important and unanswered questions.  This event has led to yet another unsolicited challenge in a year-plus of events that the school has had to face and overcome.  Our children have been impacted by this recent change and are also asking to know what has happened to their beloved principal.

We need to and must understand why a decision was made to pull a highly admired, trusted, and valued Principal from an exceptional school that was thriving under her leadership. As performance speaks for itself, this 10/10 ranked school* has set the role model for return-safely-to-school, maximized learning, and tight-knit family (staff and parents) campus.

No information has been provided to our Community that explains the reason(s) for this troubling removal of our revered Principal.  Mrs.Ryder prided herself in being transparent with the Community and her “door is always open” policy** goes completely against the matters that have transpired before us. 

In order to maintain and facilitate trust between all concerned and interested parties, we request an immediate investigation by the Solana Beach School District Board of Education to be performed by an outside, independent, unbiased third-party. 

The results of this investigation must be fully disclosed to our Community, in order to demonstrate that an unbiased, non-discriminatory due process has been afforded to Mrs.Ryder, which provides transparency to the Community, and may lead to restoring trust in current leadership.

*GreatSchools.org
**Principal Ryder message for 2020-21 school year