I recently noted a story on Facebook that was critical of Wagner High School principal Neil Goter. It insinuated that Mr. Goter was racist. If the story is bogus, please disregard my letter.

It is my opinion that Mr. Goter has done more for the Wagner Community High School Native American than anyone I know. My reasons are as follows.

I was Wagner Community School’s grades 7-12 principal for the years 1976 through 1997. When I came to Wagner in 1976, about 12% of the high school student body was Native American. Through my twenty-one years, that percentage remained more or less the same. I understand that today’s Native American high school population is approximately 66%.

During my tenure, few of those Native American students were involved in extra-curricular activities. Native American homecoming royalty was only a dream. The graduation rate was dismal. Today Native American participation is vital to every program with most Native American grads going on to post-secondary education. This success could not have been achieved under a racist principal.

As 7-12 principal, I believed in and supported homework. I was naïve enough to believe that every home, Native American included, supported homework, and actually sat around the kitchen table after supper and encouraged their children. As already stated, I was naïve. Too much Native American homework wasn’t getting done, and this, along with poor attendance (a battle I never won), led to failing grades and dropouts. Though I probably achieved some good things, I neither recognized nor solved the problem.

Along came Mr. Goter, a principal far more perceptive than I. He initiated a more or less modular schedule that basically set aside the last thirty minutes of every classroom period for homework under that same teacher’s guidance. He also initiated a period at the end of the day called SRB whereby students could see their respective teachers for assignment help. With the help of technology that didn’t exist during my tenure, parents were also kept “on top” of their high schooler’s progress or shortcomings.

To summarize, improved grades and attendance led to success. Thank you Mr. Goter.

Sincerely,

Roger Wiltz, 7-12 principal 1976-1997