Principal Christine Hoffman on Monday afternoon submitted a request to be transferred from Campbell Park Elementary School.

  • Principal Christine Hoffman spoke briefly with parents Monday
  • Her email last week said 'white students should be in the same class'
  • Hoffman requested transfer

Hoffman's request was granted, and school officials said she'd be transferred to a district office. The school's assistant principal is now in charge.

 

The day began with Hoffman meeting briefly with parents Monday morning.

"She was just very apologetic," said Ebony Johnson, one of the parents at that meeting. "She couldn’t state her why’s [sic] her purpose. And that’s what we were looking for -- a purpose and a "why" and why she felt that way about it. But she just said it was one of her ways of thinking."

That meeting reportedly ended with Hoffman leaving to make morning announcements and not returning.

Hoffman later met with Schools Superintendent Mike Grego, and reportedly after that conversation asked to be relieved of her role as principal.

By Monday afternoon, just after school was dismissed, those same parents and many other received word that Hoffman was no longer in charge, according to school district officials. Some parents protested outside the school, calling for Hoffman's firing.

"Ms. Hoffman approached us about this request for a transfer and I think she really did reflect on the situation and realize it was a distraction," said school district spokesperson Lisa Wolf.

The district also sent out a call recorded by Hoffman explaining her decision to request a transfer.

"Due to recent events, my presence has created a distraction," said Hoffman. "As a result, I’ve requested to transfer and allow another person to lead this school. This was a very difficult decision for me." (Read the full text of Hoffman's recorded call below.)

Campbell Park Elementary will hold another parent meeting Tuesday at 3:40 p.m. Also, the St. Petersburg NAACP is scheduled to deliver an official response to the issue Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. during a meeting at the Enoch Davis Center, located at 1111 18th Avenue South.

Email "insensitive","unprofessional"

The email she sent last Tuesday was titled "class lists" and was meant to give teachers a guideline on how students are placed in each class.

The email had suggestions like "Student numbers need to be even for each class," and "Try to keep the number of boys and girls equal."

Hoffman also wrote, "White students should be in the same class."

"She's wrong, she's insensitive, and it was unprofessional and she knows that," parent Laketta Davis said.


The email was sent last week by Principal Christine Hoffman to her staff.

Hoffman sent a letter to parents Friday apologizing for the remarks, but it hasn’t stopped some parents from calling for her job.

"She meant exactly what she said she meant, what she said, but she still hasn't given us an explanation. So we're waiting on that," said parent Lynnett Rowell.

Parents said they were told they weren’t allowed to record Monday morning’s meeting. Fewer than a dozen parents attended.

"Children are dealing with enough just out here in the streets with the racism and everything else, so for this to brought here at the school, it really is unprofessional," said parent Ebony Jackson. "She really needs to resign."

Parents relieved, not surprised

Parents of students at Campbell Park, once informed of Hoffman's departure, said they were relieved, but not surprised.

"What did she expect?" said parent Jasmine Erivin. "She brought that on herself."

"Yeah, I'm justified," said Johnson, "not just for my child, but for every child here at this school."


Campbell Park Elementary School Principal Christine Hoffman requested a transfer on Monday. (Pinellas County Schools)

Here's the full text of Hoffman's recorded call to Campbell Park Elementary School parents:

Hello, this is Christine Hoffman. It has been a pleasure serving the Campbell Park Elementary School community for the past 5 years as your Assistant Principal and Principal. I want what is best for the students and staff of this school.

Due to recent events, my presence has created a distraction. As a result, I’ve requested to transfer and allow another person to lead this school.

This was a very difficult decision for me. The Campbell Park community has become part of my family and I want all of our students to be successful.

As of tomorrow Assistant Principal Dawn Lewis will be the acting principal for the remainder of the school year, with support from Transformation Zone Assistant Director Yvette Piliner.

I want to thank you for your partnership this past year in educating the scholars of Campbell Park Elementary. Thank you.