Latest Perry resignations include veteran HS principal

PERRY — Two more high-ranking administrators have resigned from Perry Public Schools, leaving a void of leadership in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal.

Perry High Principal Les Justus and Perry Junior High Principal Bryan Hall are the latest educators to quit, joining Superintendent Scott Chenoweth and elementary school Principal Kenda Miller.

Justus is retiring while Hall is leaving education altogether, according to resignation letters obtained by The Oklahoman.

In a letter to interim Superintendent Bill Denton and the school board dated May 16, Justus gave thanks for 35 years of employment.

“After much contemplation, I have decided to retire for the second time from this position,” he said. “This was not an easy decision due to my relationships with the office staffs, administrators, counselors, students, and especially the teachers.”

In his letter dated May 30, Hall thanked the board and the community

for the opportunity to work for the district for five years.

“I have been offered an opportunity to work for a company outside of education, but one that will allow me to continue living in Perry,” he said. “At this time, I feel led to take this step in my career and explore this new path in my life.”

Attempts to reach Justus and Hall were unsuccessful.

Miller and Upper Elementary math teacher Jeffrey Sullins are accused of failing to promptly report molestation accusations made by multiple girls at the school.

Both are facing misdemeanor charges. The school board accepted their resignations in late March.

Arnold Cowen, 86, is accused of molesting multiple girls at the school. A judge ruled there is enough evidence to try the former volunteer teachers’ aide.

With the resignations of Justus and Hall, the embattled school district is thin on leadership.

Perry Public Schools is seeking a permanent replacement for Chenoweth.

The school board accepted his resignation May 8 and agreed to pay him $76,042 to step down. Chenoweth, who was suspended without explanation Feb. 13, continued to draw a monthly salary of $8,800.

He has not been charged with a crime.

On the same night the board approved Chenoweth’s resignation it approved the resignations of five teachers, a speech pathologist and a paraprofessional.

Special-education teacher Vickie Holbrook took Perry Public Schools to task in a resignation letter dated May 4.

“We have struggled like a ship without a rudder, but have managed to stay focused on our jobs, day in and day out,” Holbrook said.

“There was a HUGE lack of leadership and the community has been fouled. I cannot in good conscience stay and watch the family that I care about be degraded and demoralized.”

The board, meanwhile, is expected to hire Joe Jacobs as a permanent replacement for Miller as principal for the upper and lower elementary schools on June 12.

Jacobs served one year as principal at Prague High School, according to that school’s website.