Va. Principal Issues Apology for Remarks

As the school district launches a nationwide search to replace Lodal, the tumult surrounding her retirement illustrates the kind of scrutiny any administrator at Thomas Jefferson will face.

"TJ is very high pressure," said School Board member Kaye Kory (Mason). "It's like working in a fishbowl. It's an extremely demanding student body and parents and a constant flow of distinguished visitors."

When the job was last open, in 2000, Lodal emerged from retirement to temporarily fill the slot. After an 18-month search that included the hiring of a $20,000 headhunter, she was named principal.

Lodal supported a 2004 School Board decision to change the magnet school's admissions policy in an effort to increase minority enrollment. At the time, some parents worried that the shift could lower the school's standards. In addition, some parents say they are concerned that the school is watering down its math and technology focus.

The school is about 61 percent white, 30 percent Asian, 2 percent Hispanic, 1.2 percent black and 5 percent other ethnicities. The school has 1,738 students.

Already, parents are weighing in about what characteristics they think Lodal's successor should have.

"Mrs. Lodal was primarily interested in changing the racial composition of the student body and promoting social sciences," said Louise Epstein, a PTSA member whose daughter attends the school. "I hope the next principal will have more background in math, science and technology and will shift the focus in that direction."

Lodal said she has been nominated by Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) to serve as a delegate on the Education Commission of the States, a nationwide group that tracks trends in education policy and holds seminars for educators.