Principal Leaves After Shoving Student Video Surfaces

NEW HAVEN, CT — Achievement First Amistad High School principal Morgan Barth has stepped down from his position after video of him shoving a student was published.

The New Haven Independent published video of the fall incident Thursday morning. Another current Achievement First principal will head Amistad until a new full-time principal is named, according to the Independent.

Steven Cotton, a behavior specialist at the school recently quit and posted a 45-minute Facebook Live video critical of the school's methods and likened it to an oppressive system. The school released a statement saying some issues he raised aren't accurate, but that several changes are on the way.

The high school is ranked 55th best in the nation, first within Connecticut and 19th overall for charter schools, according U.S. News and World Report. Minority enrollment is 99 percent, the Advanced Placement participation rate is 100 percent with 37 percent pacing.

The school's goal is to get 100 percent of students accepted to four-year colleges and universities, according to its website.

Some students interviewed by the Independent said that the school helped them get into top-tier colleges, but complained about a strict demerit system where actions like asking to borrow a pencil could eventually add up to detention time.

Barth was previously a regional superintendent for some Achievement First schools in Connecticut and also worked for the state Department of Education. During his tenure at Elm City College Prep Elementary the school was ranked first for African-American student achievement in the state, according to the school's website. He also led AF Bridgeport Academy Middle to become the fastest improving school in the state during his two-year renture.

See the video and read the full Independent story here.