SCARBOROUGH — Scarborough High School Principal David Creech has rescinded a resignation his attorney says was forced by the superintendent of schools for unknown reasons.
Creech said he wants to keep his job as hundreds of students and parents gathered to protested his removal Monday morning.
Creech submitted his resignation Feb. 16, a day after Superintendent Julie Kukenberger called him into a meeting and told him he was no longer a good fit for the district, said William Michaud, the attorney representing Creech.
“He was threatened that if he did not resign, (Kukenberger) was not going to renew his contract for the following year,” Michaud said Monday morning. “He was astonished. It was unexpected.”
Creech, who has been principal for five years, is popular with both students and parents. More than 200 students gathered with community members outside of town hall Monday morning to protest the resignation of the high school principal.
At times students chanted and called for the superintendent’s resignation as they held signs saying they won’t accept Creech’s resignation.
Michaud said Creech felt he had to resign, but after talking with his family and friends decided he did not want to leave the district. Creech and his attorney met twice last week with school officials and an attorney for the school board, but no compromise was reached, Michaud said. Over the weekend, Creech and his attorney sent a letter to Kukenberger and the school board rescinding Creech’s resignation.
“It’s really hard to find a good high school principal and he’s a good one,” Michaud said of his client. “At this point, Davis is really committed to the people of Scarborough and wants to stay there. He feels this is an unfair situation.”
Kukenberger and Board of Education Chairwoman Donna Beeley last week released separate written statement saying that Kukenberger had accepted Creech’s resignation and that they were acting in the best interest of students. They declined to talk more specifically about the resignation, saying it is a private personnel matter.
Kukenberger did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday morning.
After his resignation, Creech experienced an outpouring of support from students and parents who started a #WeStandWithCreech social media campaign. More than 1,400 people signed an online petition demanding the school board reject his resignation.
After rallying for 25 minutes outside town hall, the students walked to school together. Creech greeted them at the front door as he does every morning.
“I don’t have words to come up with to express how much I appreciate the support,” Creech said as students filed past him into the school. “The support has been overwhelming. I love this community. I love this school, my staff and students and I’m proud to be the principal.”
The resignation comes amid growing controversy over a pending change in school start times. Creech’s position on the change isn’t clear, but parents and community groups are connecting the divisive issue to his resignation, effective June 30.
Creech’s wife, Michelle Bellfy Creech, posted statements in Facebook after her husband’s resignation that were shared to a public page titled “Scarborough School Supporters Advocating for a Start Times Plan Compromise.” She said “he was forced to resign by the SI (superintendent).”
She also said her husband would like to make a statement to the public but has been advised not to.
Creech referred questions about his resignation to his attorney.
Claire Merrill, the student organizer of the rally, said students are confused and angry about the resignation of their principal, who is popular with students.
“Mr. Creech has been the most active and involved principal I’ve ever had,” she said. “He’s a real active voice in helping students be heard.”
Three police officers were outside town hall during the rally to direct traffic and control the crowd.
Scarborough High School Orincipal David Creech, who resigned suddenly amid controversy, receives high-fives from students as they enter the building on Monday morning. Students, faculty and parents turned out by the hundreds to rally in support of the embattled principal. (Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald)
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