School board tables principal’s fate

MERCEDES — The school board continues to weigh whether the high school principal will return from a paid suspension.

At Tuesday’s regular school board meeting, the trustees voted to table the issue of a resignation agreement with Principal Ricardo Atkinson, who was placed on paid leave two months ago.

Atkinson is the focus of an investigation into allegations of misconduct involving students, Superintendent Walter Watson said in October. He said one of allegations involved the number student suspensions issued in the fall semester.

Atkinson said he rejects any allegations of wrongdoing involving students.

School board president Ron McVey said that before the school board tries decide about Atkinson’s contract, it needs to review his side of the investigation.

McVey said since Atkinson has not responded to questions sent to him by an investigator on Nov. 9, the board will wait to review his answers.

At least 30 administrators, teachers and students were interviewed during the investigation, and a list of questions was compiled and sent to Atkinson’s attorney.

“We need to hear both sides, and his side hasn’t come up,” McVey said. “So we’re going above and beyond and waiting for him to respond.”

Atkinson said he hoped he would receive a fair opportunity to address the accusations.

But, Atkinson said the Nov. 9 packet of questions was incomplete and that his attorney did not receive a complete packet until the week of Thanksgiving.

“Nor was there ever an invitation to be interviewed (by the investigator) about the allegations, whatsoever,” Atkinson said.

After an executive session, board trustee Monte Churchill announced that Atkinson would have a 4 p.m. Dec. 18 deadline.

At that time, the investigator will review the answers and the next step will be taken, Watson said.

“If he has everything ready, then the board will make a decision,” Watson said. “If he doesn’t, they will go back at it again.”

Watson said the investigator’s questions could not be disclosed until after the investigation is completed.

In a previous interview, Watson said one of the allegations was about the number of suspensions made this school year.

Atkinson said he stands behind the suspensions he approved since they followed code of conduct. There were at least 100 suspensions this school year, he said.