By NIKKI SCHORMANN

When Dr. David Engle resigned as Ballard High School's principal in April of this year, he said that the decision "was the most difficult I have ever had to make; but one that I made with complete conviction."

Engle resigned in protest of a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that said that racial tiebreakers could no longer be used in determining school assignments, because of Initiative 200, which opposes affirmative action. Seattle voters approved initiative 200 in 1998. The court then changed its decision, and the case was moved to the State Supreme Court.

Engle did not return as principal, however. He is now working for the School District in job that was created for him. He will train high school principals with the Small Schools Project, and work on technology improvements in schools.

His support for Ballard High has not stopped, however. When Ballard's Class of 1952 donated a new flagpole and flag, an all school ceremony was held to commemorate the anniversary of last year's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Whispers in the crowd of students could be heard as they recognized the presence of their former principal.