Posted 11:59 pm Saturday, December 04, 2010
Troup High School Vice Principal Resigns As Investigation Continues
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
With the resignation of its assistant high school principal, Troup ISD will discuss options for future leadership in the coming weeks.
Staff Writer
With the resignation of its assistant high school principal, Troup ISD will discuss options for future leadership in the coming weeks.
Mike Staples, who took over the position in August, resigned and retired Nov. 22 amid an internal investigation.
Troup ISD Superintendent Marvin Beaty said the investigation began after high school Principal Brian Clements made him aware that a complaint had been made about Staples.
The next morning, Nov. 18, the investigation was instigated and Staples was sent home on paid administrative leave, he said. Beaty met with Staples and Clements days later, at which point Staples tendered his resignation/retirement and was taken off the district payroll.
Beaty would not give details of the complaint since it pertains to a personnel issue.
However, he did say it was a complaint of wrongdoing that was investigated according to the appropriate policies and procedures, which included notifying the school resource officer and the State Board for Educator Certification.
"Things like this take a hard toll on everybody," Beaty said. "This isn't one of those things that comes and goes … We're dealing with students and schools and people's life. This wasn't pleasant, but they pay us to deal with the positive and the negative. In my opinion, we handled it very quickly and very well. I'm pleased with how the investigation was conducted."
As of Friday, he did not know of any charges that were being filed against Staples.
Beaty said Staples' primary duty as high school assistant principal was student discipline -- a task that he did well.
"He did a great job of that, keeping the kids behaving," he said. "All indications were he did a marvelous job. I'm disappointed we are where we are, but in completing his primary function he did what he was expected to do."
In regards to a background check, Beaty said he would never hire someone who didn't pass a background check.
He also said Staples' personal references were all positive, and he got no negative feedback. Before coming to Troup, Staples served as an assistant principal in West Rusk ISD. He has been in education at least 20 years.
Troup ISD has posted the assistant principal job and is taking applications.
School Board President Joe McElroy said trustees have not met since Staples resigned, so they will likely discuss the issue at their next meeting on Dec. 13.
Beaty said he will talk with board members and Clements to formulate a plan of action. Options include letting Clements handle both positions or utilizing an interim from in-house or out-of-house.
"I'm looking forward to Christmas and to healing," Beaty said. "I wish him (Staples) the very best in his future. We're going to pick up the pieces in January and go from here."
