"You can't blame the teachers for some of the problems the kids have," Mr. Stack said.

Mr. Stack, who is 41, has made 20 documentaries over a 10-year career, the bulk of them controversial.

Mr. Stack has not been charged with any crime.

If knowledge is power, Mr. Stack was willing to share it.

Mr. Stack had no comment on his decision to withdraw his name.

Mr. Stack was trying to raise the necessary 6,700 signatures on a petition for a recall vote.

Mr. Stack, part of a class of 17, will be its first male graduate.

Yet Mr. Stack, a 51-year-old middle school principal, appears too young for the part.

Mr. Stack prepares his show the same way he has for the past 11 years.

"I do own about 150 78's," said Mr. Stack, who has spent thousands of dollars on his music collection.