Pensacola Florida school principal arrested www.privateofficer.com
Pensacola Fla Aug 1 2011 Following his arrest on charges of indecent exposure and lewd and lascivious behavior, the principal of Avalon Middle School has been reassigned to an administrative position in the Santa Rosa County School District.
Steven McHenry, 39, was arrested by Pensacola police on Thursday on the misdemeanor charges. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday and was released after posting a $1,000 bond.
Details of McHenry’s arrest were not available Saturday night.
Santa Rosa Schools Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick said McHenry, who was about to begin his second year as principal, now is assigned to a job in which he will not have any contact with students and teachers.
“Santa Rosa County schools will continue to investigate the matter of his arrest and act appropriately,” Wyrosdick said Saturday night. “It’s important to let parents know we have been working on this now for a little more than 24 hours, and we have communicated clearly with our School Board.”
Wyrosdick would not say if someone has been selected to be the school’s principal.
“We are moving forward with providing leadership for that school,” he said. “I will be meeting with faculty and staff Monday morning.”
In June 2010, Wyrosdick announced McHenry would take over the middle school, succeeding Ermma Fillingim, who retired. His principal’s salary was $76,000.
In August 2007, he was appointed assistant principal at the school. He had been an administrative intern and was a social studies teacher at Gulf Breeze High School, where he served as girls basketball coach and girls volleyball coach.
Wyrosdick said a teacher’s arrest must be reported to the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practices. The office will determine whether McHenry will be able to keep his teaching certificate.
“The process of the action for his certificate is a lengthy one,” Wyrosdick said. “It requires an investigation and is normally a year to two-year process.”
Avalon Middle Parent Teacher Organization President Amy Spencer declined to comment after hearing about McHenry’s arrest.
Source:pnj.com
