Parents Get Few Answers On Why Shaker High Principal Was Removed

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — When Shaker Heights High Principal Jonathan Kuehnle was placed on administrative leave last week, parents were surprised and confused. The district had provided few answers as to why Kuehnle was removed.

Citing only "personnel matters" the district installed an interim principal, David Glasner, and then announced a special community meeting on November 8. The meeting did not go as planned.

District officials were repeatedly asked why Kuehnle was being investigated. They repeatedly said they could not go into details on personnel matters. They did assure parents the investigation did not concern the safety or well-being of students, and that no police investigation was ongoing.

It wasn't enough to sate the crowd.

“You have avoided leadership,” Clyde Christian, a parent, said at the meeting, according to WKYC. “If there was strong leadership in place, these issues would be addressed. Because everything is kind of bubbling up at one time.”

“I think everyone has been questioning what is happening, why all this stuff is happening and that’s why everyone is here, to get answers,” said Will Schinabeck, a student, Fox 8 reported.

WKYC said parents and students eventually took the stage and grabbed a microphone, refusing to have their questions funneled through a moderator. It didn't make a difference. School officials remained firm, saying they couldn't detail personnel investigations in public.

Many families complained that Thursday's meeting didn't make an impact. In fact, it may have hurt the district's relationship with community members.

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