The superintendent of the Durham, N.C., public schools has warned a school board member that she could face arrest if she visits a middle school without the principal’s permission.
In a Jan. 19 letter, Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger wrote that the board member, Jackie Wagstaff, was at Shepard Middle School on Jan. 14 seeking information that could be used to fire its principal. Ms. Wagstaff is a member of a group called Concerned Black Citizens that has been calling for the principal’s ouster.
Board members, the superintendent of the 31,000-student district wrote, “have no authority to investigate individual school system employees. In fact, it is vital for board members to maintain neutrality as individuals in school disputes.”
Ms. Wagstaff said last week that she believes the superintendent, whom she called her “subordinate,” had overstepped her bounds and that she was considering taking legal action.
