Monica Asher, 43, the principal of Olentangy Orange High School, found herself at the center of a storm following a newsletter she dispatched to her staff in the aftermath of Donald Trump's election victory.
According to the Daily Mail, Asher's newsletter addressed the election results and the subsequent reactions within the school community. "I can't write a message that pretends like the election didn't happen; especially when so many of you are struggling with how to move forward," she penned. Asher acknowledged the struggle her staff faced in dealing with students' fears and differing viewpoints among colleagues. "This week, I saw the pain, uncertainty and division," she added. "I have to be honest, I am not entirely sure how to tell you how to move forward."
Despite Trump's decisive victory in Delaware County, Asher offered words of encouragement to her staff, assuring them that the school would remain a place of compassion and respect. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the humanity, dignity, and worth of every individual. However, her metaphorical comparison of the country's future to an impending 'storm' that needed to be faced 'head-on' did not sit well with the school district or the wider internet community.
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The newsletter's publication sparked a wave of online backlash. Under a post of the newsletter shared by an account titled 'Crisis in the Classroom,' users expressed their anger. One user criticized Asher's perceived ideological indoctrination, stating, "Her job is to promote education through leadership, not to indoctrinate ideology. How about separation of political ideology and state." Other users labeled her a 'narcissist' and called for her dismissal.
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In response to the controversy, Todd Meyer, the Olentangy Local School District Superintendent, informed staff that Asher had been placed on administrative leave. Meyer described the move as a 'procedural step to protect the integrity of any district investigation.' He also announced that Ellie Ellis, the current assistant principal of the high school, would serve as the lead administrator during the investigation. "The best interests of our students and staff remain our top priority," Meyer stated. "And we will work to ensure students, families and staff are not impacted further."
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The Olentangy Local School District also issued a statement, clarifying that Asher's newsletter did not represent the official opinion of the Olentangy Schools Board of Education. The statement emphasized the board's expectation for professional staff members to maintain high standards in their working relationships and refrain from using their position for partisan political purposes.
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Parents within the Olentangy district have also weighed in on the controversy. Many believe that politics and education should remain separate entities. Despite their disagreement with Asher's actions, some parents, like Allie Forsythe and Kyungho Kim, question whether her actions warrant job termination. "A conversation definitely needs to be had," Forsythe suggested.
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Prior to her tenure at Olentangy Orange High School, Asher served as the principal of another Ohio high school in Chagrin Falls. Interestingly, her current school hosted Trump during a political rally in 2018. Asher's dedication to her students and leadership during the pandemic and political upheaval earned her recognition as the Ohio principal of the year in 2022. She also serves as the president of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators.
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Despite the challenges faced by school principals, with nearly 40 percent planning to quit within the next three years according to a survey by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Asher remains committed to her role. "No - in case that was the question," she told Education Week. "This is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing." As the investigation into Asher's actions continues, the school community and the wider public will be watching closely to see how this controversy unfolds.
