From the vantage point of a former Pardeeville High School student, I am personally quite happy to see Mr. Paul Peterson leave his role as principal. I am not particularly angry with him, although I've severely disagreed with his professional philosophy so many times.

No, I'm not simply a troublemaker who is upset with the man for his disciplinary actions against me. I do indeed take responsibility for what I've done wrong, and certain actions of his were appropriate. By and large, however, there is a reason he was "unpopular at times."

Peterson claims that it's "tough love." He claims it makes his students succeed. I've seen more students succeed in spite of his "tough love" than as a result of it.

He, personally, was the reason a number of students transferred to surrounding districts like Portage; I was one of them.

I only pray that as Pardeeville High gets to hire a new principal, that this time they do it right. Please, Pardeeville School District, don't hire some tyrannical, hard-liner disciplinarian like Mr. Peterson - the only thing to be gained by that is more resentment among students. Hire someone reasonable. Mr. Virgil Oelke, a former official, is a great model for what you should look for.

Adam Cooper, Pardeeville