Chapter 13 - PRINCIPAL COLLINS RESIGNEDDavid Collins initially tried to stay.
He apologized.
Cooperated.
Said donor pressure affected his judgment.
Some parents wanted him immediately fired.
Others defended him.
The district ultimately found he had not forged records but had repeatedly failed to escalate harassment and permitted improper closure of complaints.
He resigned.
Before leaving, he asked to speak with Emma and Michael.
Emma agreed.
He said:
“I’m sorry.”
She waited.
“I thought I was protecting the school.”
Emma asked:
“From what?”
He looked down.
“Conflict.”
“And what happened to me?”
Silence.
She continued:
“You protected the school from conflict by giving me all of it.”
Collins cried.
Not dramatically.
Just quietly.
“I know.”
Emma believed he regretted it.
She also believed he should not remain principal.
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Those thoughts could coexist.
Forgiveness does not require restoring someone’s position.
