OKC Schools Announce Resignation of Embattled Principal

Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Karl Springer announced
he has accepted the resignation of the principal of Douglass Mid-High
School.  The resignation comes after an
extensive investigation into allegations of misconduct at the school.

Former employees at Douglass say Dr. Brian Staples would
change student grades and change enrollment status of students in order to make
the school look better.  Earlier this
month former assistant principal Marcia Muhammad told Fox 25, “The children are
graduating and they can't read.”

“Our independent investigation is complete. Today, we are
sending the outcome of the investigation and corresponding documents to the US
Department of Education, OK State Department of Education and the Oklahoma
County District Attorney.  As always we will cooperate fully with these
authorities,” said Karl Springer, OKCPS Superintendent.

Springer announced three new hires for Douglass, positions he
says will “protect the integrity of the Douglass students, staff and community.”  He went on to add, “We recognize that this
situation has been extremely difficult for the students, staff and Douglass
community; it has been difficult for us as well.”

“They've told us what we need for the last three decades and
our children are graduating and going straight to prison or to the unemployment
line,” Muhammad said after learning of Dr. Staples’ resignation, “This is their
time to listen to what we believe is best for Frederick A. Douglass High
School.”

Muhammad says she and other voiced concerns to the district
two years ago.  She says she was fired
for speaking out. 

Other retired Oklahoma City teachers say the district and
Dr. Staples retaliated against any teacher who complained about the activities
at Douglass.   “If you didn't bow down to the group and become part of the clique
they didn't want you,” said Willie Reid, a retired social-sciences teacher.  “I might be retired, but I’m still for the
kids.”

 “I would like to see those that knew, the documentation that shows
they knew, they should not be allowed to work in our district,” Muhammad told
Fox 25.  She says other administrators
went along with Dr. Staples. 

Muhammad is hopeful a federal
investigation will reveal everyone who took part and make sure they don’t work
in the district again.  “One person
coming out that has done our students wrong; it's more people involved.”

Springer refused to take reporter questions about how long
the district was aware of allegations concerning Dr. Staples or the details of
the findings.  A district spokesperson also
said questions about how much the outside investigation cost could only be
answered by filing a formal open records request. 

Posted: Wednesday, October 24 2012, 09:35 PM CDT