For those of you that have not heard, the WPS school board and Jason Van Heukelem are trying to remove Mr. Dufrene from his position as Principal of Handley. I believe this is ill advised. Mr. Dufrene is the rock holding the school together at this point and the fact that they are trying to remove the one thing keeping our kids connected to JHHS is just wrong and I for one will remember this come election time. Any of the board who supports Van Heukelem's plan to get rid of Dufrene will find themselves without my vote and the vote of many others.

He has stood up for his students, supporting them and their families in ways no one could ever imagine a principal would. WPS should be bragging across the country about the innovative ways Mr. Dufrene has helped his students.

In the midst of a pandemic, WPS should be supporting the students and keeping things as consistent as possible for them. They should feel comforted knowing they will be returning to something and someone familiar, not walking in the door in the fall to a stranger and without any idea it has even happened. No goodbyes, no thanks, just a boot out the door. Dr. VanHeukelum appears to be taking advantage of this time of crisis and a closed school system to sneak this in on the staff, the students, and the families and frankly should be ashamed of such behavior.

Please, please send letters, emails, etc. to the board and to Van Heukelem (vanheukelum@wps.k12.va.us) letting them know what a mistake they are making. Thank you!!! (Written by Joanne Clarke Ruscella)