High School Principal On Leave After Facebook Posts

CUMMING, GA -- The principal of Lambert High School in Forsyth County has been placed on leave after making Facebook posts that members of the school’s community considered anti-Muslim and derogatory toward minorities.

The action came after a meeting Thursday between Davison and Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden, the Forsyth County News is reporting.

According to the paper, the posts came to light Wednesday when a former Lambert student and others started sharing Davison’s posts online and speaking against them. The posts were dated from June, July, November and December 2015.

Most of the posts were considered by critics to be anti-Muslim. The News says they called Islam a violent religion and included an article from Gov. Nathan Deal’s office calling for Georgia to stop accepting Syrian refugees.

Others were critical of gays and lesbians, Planned Parenthood, and transgender celebrity Caitlyn Jenner.

In a written statement, Bearden said Forsyth’s school district “values all individuals and does not tolerate discrimination.”

“Dr. Davison has issued a personal apology to students, parents, staff and the community,” Bearden said in the statement. “He acknowledges and recognizes the damage his personal posts have done to his position as the leader of Lambert and commits to addressing those concerns.”

According to Forsyth County Schools’ social media policy, “(a)ny content staff members publish, pictures they post, or dialogue they maintain, whether in Facebook, Twitter, a blog, a discussion thread or other website should never compromise the professionalism, integrity and ethics in their role as an FCS professional.”

Davison issued a written apology that was released by the school system.

“I humbly apologize to the current and former students of Lambert, their parents, the school staff and our community for the shared posts on my personal Facebook,” he said in the statement. “I offended many individuals and embarrassed our school.”

It was unclear Monday when, or if, Davison will return to his role as principal of Lambert, Forsyth County’s largest high school with more than 2,900 students.

Assistant Principal Pam Bibik is serving as acting principal.

(Photo via Lambert High School website)