Adams Elementary parents still wary after meeting new principal

About 100 parents gathered in the cafeteria at Adams Elementary School on Monday evening teeming with anger - and a little curiosity.

In front of them sat the school's longtime, beloved Principal Doug Sohn, who is about to go on medical leave. He was joined by Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner, roughly 10 district officials, and the person parents hope will not remain the school's new principal, Anitra Jones.

This month Seattle Public Schools appointed Jones to be Adams Elementary's principal for the 2026-27 school year. The news shocked the 270-student elementary school community in Ballard. Parents voiced confusion about how Jones still had a job after an onslaught of complaints arose in 2024, including allegations she created a "toxic" learning environment at Rainier View Elementary in Southeast Seattle, and a state agency's determination that she unlawfully discriminated against staff.

Since that April 6 announcement, parents sent 600 emails to district officials, Shuldiner estimated. Many of those demanded the district conduct a standard open application process for the principal job, rather than appointing Jones to the position without community input.

Monday night marked the Adams community's first chance to meet Jones in person. The district hoped to provide answers to community questions, but tensions remained high through the nearly four-hour meeting. District officials giving answers were frequently interrupted by parents asking more questions.

Parents left the meeting disappointed and "more concerned than when they walked in," said Kerry Lynd, vice president of the school's PTA, after the meeting. "Most people went in with the good intent of welcoming (Jones) and understanding there are two sides to every story. Instead, there was zero accountability of any wrongdoing from Ms. Jones, and a lack of acknowledgment, by the superintendent, that any violation has occurred."

Parents listened as Sohn shared his own positive experiences with Jones over his more than 13 years at the district.

"I can see that (Jones) is determined to honor all the traditions and the things we do well here, our (social-emotional learning), our arts program," Sohn said. "I see that when I speak with her, and I want to let you know that."

Parents became less patient as Jones and Shuldiner spoke.

Jones spoke publicly about the allegations for the first time in three years, often denying the allegations or declining to comment.

"Today what you can expect from me is to get to know me as a person, to get to know me as a leader," Jones said in her opening remarks. "There are some things we are unable to talk about because of personnel issues, but I assure you it's not because we don't want to answer your questions. I'm here because I care."

As Jones described her teaching philosophy and anecdotes about her interactions with Adams students, the crowd grew increasingly restless.

At one point a parent stood up, interrupting Jones, to ask, "I'm sorry, how long is this going to go on before we get to ask our questions?" The crowd erupted into cheers.

Parents booed when Shuldiner explained that he also prefers a competitive hiring process, but in this instance, he was obligated to put Jones in a principal job because of state law, her contract and an internal district document.

Shuldiner went on to explain that he appointed Jones to Adams Elementary because it not only had an impending vacancy, but also because Sohn, the departing principal, was experienced and could aid Jones' transition into the role. He said the Adams community was a strong one that could also help support Jones. In response, parents started laughing.

"So we are going to oversee her?" one parent yelled out.

"Are we being punished?" another parent asked.

The meeting continued until nearly 10 p.m., with parents questioning how placing Jones as a principal is best for students. They repeatedly stressed that they didn't want such a decision driven by legal and contractual obligations, instead calling for an open application process for the job.

But Shuldiner showed no signs of changing course on Jones' appointment, frequently pointing to the contracts and state law that he says effectively require this outcome.

"In order to be a superintendent I have to follow legal and contractual obligations," Shuldiner said. "If I don't, not only would I immediately get fired, but also we would be open to lawsuits, which is terrible for the entire district."

Parents demanded that Shuldiner pause the process and not place Jones in a principalship until the district further investigates the past allegations against her.

Shuldiner pushed back, telling parents that Jones' personnel file doesn't contain any discipline records, and he cannot retroactively investigate claims.

"I can't go back in time, do another investigation, find some sort of finding, then write a letter for the punishment and then use it to (end) the contract …" Shuldiner said. "Why didn't the district do that two years ago? I can't speak to that because I wasn't here."

Shuldiner noted that if there are concerns about Jones' conduct at Adams, parents or staff can document them, and the district would then investigate those claims.

"This all sucks, I get it, I really do," Shuldiner said, adding that adhering to state law and contract agreements is one of the ways he is "trying very hard to bring systems and structures to the district."

Parents also questioned Jones, asking her about her approach to social-emotional learning and discipline for students. One parent asked about past allegations of her harsh discipline of students of color and English language learners, religious discrimination, withholding recess as punishment, and violating special education learning plans.

"It did not happen. Those are allegations," Jones said. She did not clarify which allegations she was referencing. "I'm not going to respond to every allegation … but what I will say is that I believe in caring for children, respecting all children, as well as loving all children. That has been my work for the last 25 years … Those allegations of abuse are not true."

Parents booed again.

Allie Stephenson, a parent and former educator, said her professional experience helps her understand that some of the allegations could be false. But she's still skeptical that all the claims against Jones are without merit.

"We would love it if you could prove to us that you deserve a second chance here," Stephenson said, adding that Adams is "a very welcoming community." "Everyone deserves that, but … I would simply like to see if one of those things we have all read about may be addressed as something you have learned and moved on."

By 9 p.m., the room was still half full, and as the hour approached 10, at least 25 parents and all of the district officials remained.

"I'm begging you, please don't let us take the fall and wait for the damage to be done," Tamar Kestenbaum, an Adams parent, said at the end of the meeting. "Sohn is an incredible human who we all care about so much and I think you are using that to your benefit because your hands are tied."

"Don't fight for contractual obligations. Do the right thing," Kestenbaum added. "We don't deserve this."

After the meeting, Shuldiner said he and other district officials "understand where (parents) are coming from, and we are continuing to look into what our options are to do what is best for the school, the children and the district." He said the meeting "reinforced" his understanding of how adamantly parents want what they think is best for the school.

"It was a really good experience for me to hear directly from families voicing their opinion," he said, adding that he looks forward to continued "open and honest dialogue" with the Adams community.

Parents said they will bring their concerns about Jones' appointment to the Seattle School Board at Wednesday's meeting at 4:30 p.m. at the John Stanford Center in Sodo.

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