Residents React To Abington High Principal Discipline

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Township residents are reacting to the disciplinary action taken against Abington Senior High School Principal Alice Swift, one day after students held a walkout to protest ICE activity in the nation.

The school administration said its investigation of "inappropriate" social media posts Swift allegedly may be involved with had nothing to do with the protest by 200 high school students on Wednesday.

Swift, who has served as the high school principal since 2024, was placed on administrative leave in a story first reported by Patch on Thursday.

In an email to the Abington school community, the school administration stated that Swift was placed on administrative leave, effective Thursday, after the district received allegations of inappropriate social media posts that it was investigating.

Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Fecher said that since the leave is a personnel matter, the district is unable to provide further information at this time.

"If it was an ongoing investigation, then announcing this action one day after this controversial protest is very curious timing," school district critic Joseph Rooney told Patch. Rooney ran unsuccessfully for school board in the November general election and also ran against State Rep. Ben Sanchez.

"My observation is that Dr. Swift brought stability to the high school, a school troubled with fights, poor discipline and declining performance," Rooney said. "I had a cordial professional relationship with Dr. Swift. I found her competent, confident and cordial."

She released a post yesterday that +/- 200 students participated in the protest (meaning 2800 students did not participate.) Thankfully, 94% of the students felt their education was more important than political theater.

On Wednesday, Swift sent an email obtained by Patch to parents and guardians about the ICE protest.

"I am proud to share that the walkout occurred with zero incidents," Swift stated. "I want to extend sincere appreciation and gratitude to the more than 200 scholars who participated for demonstrating outstanding conduct, civility, and respect throughout the event. Their voices and speeches reflected positivity and thoughtfulness. I also want to thank the scholars who chose to remain in class and exercised their right to make a decision in the best interest of themselves. We respect and value all scholars' choices and perspectives."

Swift thanked the school board, superintendent, assistant superintendent, the Abington Police Department, Central Office staff, ASHS Administration, Security, the School Resource Officer, and the school district's faculty and staff, as "their presence and support helped ensure a safe and orderly morning for ourWhat did she say that was so inappropriate? school community.

Following the story, residents posted comments on Facebook about the disciplinary action, wondering what the "inappropriate" social media posts were that the district stated are under investigation.

"What did she say that was so inappropriate?" one commenter on the Patch story wondered.

"I have heard only positive things about her and the fact the district took these steps soo quickly is a problem," said another Facebook commenter.

"What was said exactly? Letting students protest ICE, is a teaching moment! Let’s not forget how people protested the Vietnam war, women protested the right to vote etc." stated another comment on the Patch story.

"I think she is lovely and Abington should be thankful to have her. I was happy my son got to finish AHS with her," another Facebook commenter posted.