A Lee County Principal's Resignation Letter, in His Own Words
Last summer, a Lee County principal resigned and sent this letter to district leadership. He shared it with Parents for Transparency to publish for the community. It appears here in his own words, with the names of individual employees withheld. Our fact-check of its checkable claims rides at the bottom.
By Jackson Morgan · July 22, 2026
Dear Dr. Carlin, Dr. Johnston, and Ms. Neely,
I write this letter with deep respect and sincere gratitude. I have recently been offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relocate to Costa Rica and serve as an Assistant Director at an international school, with the potential to move into a director role in the coming year. After careful reflection—considering the current climate and recent personal events—I've decided to accept this opportunity and begin a new chapter abroad. Effective as of close of business today, Thursday, July 24, 2025, I am resigning from my position as principal at San Carlos Park Elementary.
I want to thank you all for the support and guidance you've extended to me during my time with LCSD. Shanna, you have been an inspiration since our first interaction through the TIF grant. Your support and willingness to serve as a sounding board over the years have been invaluable. Denise, I will never forget your kindness during a difficult time during my NISL courses when I had to put down my Great Dane. Your words of encouragement and compassion left a lasting impression on me as both an employee and a leader. Cheryl, though our time together was short, I appreciate your focus on meaningful work.
Because of the positive impact you've had on me, I feel compelled to share a few candid reflections with the hope that you'll receive them in the spirit in which they are intended: a desire for continued improvement and a stronger organization.
Over my 11 years in administration at Lehigh Elementary and 1 month at San Carlos Park Elementary, I've experienced many highs and challenges. This past year has been particularly complex—exciting in some ways and disheartening in others. Please know that what I share next is not meant to be disrespectful, but rather to provide direct and transparent feedback.
Leadership Appointments and Transparency:
The promotion of individuals such as [name withheld], [name withheld], and [name withheld] has raised concerns for me, and I would say others as well. [Name withheld]'s tenure at [a district school] ended with the school falling into DA status, yet she now serves in a senior cabinet role. Despite my outreach offering support, I never received a meaningful response. In fact, the response I received from her to my offer was “☺ Thank you. Have a great weekend.” Now she's in a role that demands collaboration and strategic leadership; knowing the way she interacts with others and her lack of engagement with colleagues, it is disheartening to see her in such an important role.
Similarly, I question the process behind appointing [name withheld] to a role that includes mentoring and supporting principals. Having limited experience as a school-based administrator (and I believe having never served as a principal), how can this administrator effectively serve in this capacity? Their leadership, while well-intentioned, does not reflect the experience typically expected of someone in that position. This raises concerns about consistency and fairness in leadership appointments.
The return of [name withheld] as a senior director, despite her limited experience with turnaround schools, adds to the perception that personal connections—rather than demonstrated qualifications—are influencing key decisions. This perception erodes morale and trust in ways you probably cannot imagine. I can tell you that administrators are scared to speak up for fear of retribution.
Recognition and Alignment with Values:
At Lehigh, my focus has been on educating and supporting the whole child, even when that resulted in maintaining a stagnant school grade. The amount of trauma our children endure is immeasurable. For me, my priority was to meet their physiological and safety needs. For without stability there, education is not possible. I also prioritized reducing staff turnover, improving school culture, and ensuring mental and physical well-being. At the start of our summer break this year, we had only one core vacancy—a testament to the strength and stability we built together.
Rather than being celebrated, I often found myself needing to justify decisions that should be aligned with our shared mission—such as staffing additional mental health supports. I believe that true success lies not only in data but in the stability and care we provide to our community. Unfortunately, the District's practices sometimes diverge from its stated values, and this dissonance has become more pronounced in recent years, more so this past year than before.
A Hope for the Future:
While I do not seek accolades, I firmly believe that all leaders deserve to feel valued and to trust in the integrity of the system they serve. I am deeply proud of the work I've accomplished and remain passionately committed to the field of education. That said, my experiences as a school administrator in Lee County have, at times, been discouraging and disheartening. These experiences have only strengthened my resolve and enthusiasm to lead a school in Costa Rica—where I look forward to doing meaningful work free from the bureaucratic constraints that too often hinder progress here.
I hope my words are received as intended: with honesty, humility, and hope for a stronger, more inclusive leadership culture. The District has an incredible pool of talented, passionate individuals. I encourage you to look beyond familiar faces and elevate those whose daily work reflects the values we hold dear.
Thank you again for the opportunities, support, and memories. I wish you and the District continued success.
With respect and sincerity,
Jackson Morgan
Fact check
The author is a real, veteran Lee County administrator, and the background facts here hold up against the public record. His views on the district's leadership and culture are his own opinion, offered from firsthand experience, which public records cannot confirm or deny.
This op-ed is the author's own resignation letter, published in his words. His letter named three individual district employees and described their appointments. Because they are not public figures and did not consent to being named here, Parents for Transparency has withheld their names and the details that would identify them. What remains are the author's opinions, which are his own, and the checkable facts below. Publishing a letter is not an endorsement of it.
Checked July 22, 2026
The author served about eleven years as a Lee County administrator (Lehigh Elementary) before resigning as principal of San Carlos Park Elementary in July 2025.
The tenure checks out: Jackson Morgan was named an assistant principal at Lehigh Elementary in 2014 and was Lee County's Assistant Principal of the Year in 2019, consistent with roughly eleven years in administration by 2025. His brief principalship at San Carlos Park and his move to Costa Rica are his own account.
The schools he led carried persistently low, or “stagnant,” state grades.
Supported. San Carlos Park Elementary has hovered around a C for years (a D in 2017, C in 2018 and 2019), with recent proficiency below the state's midpoint. Lehigh Elementary, where he was an administrator, is likewise in the C range. Both fit the “stagnant grade” description.
Administrators in Lee County are “scared to speak up for fear of retribution,” and the district's practices diverge from its stated values.
This is the author's firsthand characterization of the district's culture, offered as opinion. It reflects his experience as a principal and cannot be independently verified from public records, and the district has not responded to it here. We publish it as his account, not as established fact.