Miami Beach Assistant Principal to Be Fired in Wake of Child Porn Reports

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Don Clippinger, an assistant principal of Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center is facing immediate dismissal for what school officials described as "disgraceful and reprehensible" accusations after the longtime educator's arrest by federal agents on Tuesday.

Sarah Schall, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami confirmed Clippinger's arrest.

"We will not comment on the nature of the charges," she told Patch, adding that Clippinger is scheduled to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Wednesday.

The Miami Herald reported that Clippinger was arrested on Tuesday morning at his Miami Shores home by special agents with Homeland Security Investigations for allegedly downloading child pornography.

“The accusations made against this employee are disgraceful and reprehensible, and constitute conduct unbecoming a school district employee,” said Daisy Gonzalez-Dieg0, chief communications officer of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools in a prepared statement.

“Miami-Dade County Public Schools has initiated procedures for the immediate termination of this individual from any and all employment with the school district,” she added.

Gonzalez-Diego told Patch that the school district had not received prior complaints against Clippinger from parents or students.

“He’s been an employee with the school system for 23 years,” she said.

Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center is located in the historic Art Deco district of Miami Beach with more than half of the faculty holding advanced degrees.

Image via Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center Facebook page