PRINCE WILLIAM CO., VA (WUSA9) — New outrage among some parents and teachers in Prince William County School (PWCS) after the conclusion of an investigation into the the principal at Ronald Reagan Middle School.
Principal Alfie Turner was accused of bullying and intimidating current and former teachers.
Former teachers and staff members gave harrowing accounts at public school board hearings accusing Turner of bullying and retaliation. Several former teachers who worked under Turner told similar stories to WUSA9.
A PWCS leader detailed the outcome of an investigation, infuriating teachers, parents and at least one public officials, with the allegation that the "strain placed on the principal" was due to a "relatively small group of discontented faculty members who resisted changes in management and accountability measures and enlisted parents and social media in a public campaign to undermine the administration."
"The school system should not be sending out a letter like that that was so offensive, so over the top, blaming the teachers and the parents," said Gainesville Supervisor Pete Candland.
"It is completely inappropriate that our teachers should feel scared telling the truth," said Candland.
PWCS leadership hired an outside firm to conduct an independent investigation and a letter detailed some of the findings.
It stated that out of 129 teachers and staff, 89 (69 percent) agreed to an interview. The letter, signed by Bill Bixby, Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools, said that most interviewed had
"never personally experienced or observed" bullying. But, "slightly more than half said they had experienced or observed it from a teacher, administrator or even parents; while fewer than a quarter said they had seen or felt intimidation, 'bullying,' and unfair targeting by the principal."
Bixby's letter said the current principal would not be returning to the school and added that "a very public and negative campaign made it impossible for her to succeed as a school principal in the in the immediate future."
He called out the superintendent, saying the letter had a condescending and disrespectful tone towards parents and teachers.
"I am profoundly disappointed in the condescending and disrespectful tone in the letter to the RRMS community that clearly tried to deflect blame from the administration onto parents and teachers," Candland said in a statement to WUSA9's Peggy Fox.
As of Sunday, Turner's name can no longer be found in the staff directory, but her new job will be in the Human Resources Department.
The school website lists acting principal as Roger Dallek.
The full letter can be read below:
