STEM Academy admin resigns amid controversy

DOWNINGTOWN » It’s been rough all over.

Downingtown STEM Academy administrator Zachary Ruff resigned amid controversy, following his response to two teenagers who protested against abortion outside the nationally ranked school in April. Ruff, dean of student life and academics, was

placed on administrative leave until he resigned in May.

“After considering this situation in total, its divisive impact on the community, the reaction from his

students, and the attention this situation has garnered nationally, it is clear to us that Dr. Ruff decided that the best thing for his students, the school district, and the community was to resign from employment,” district officials said.

During his disciplinary hearing, Ruff was notified of the allegations against

him and had the opportunity to present his account of the interaction with the protesters. Ruff, his attorney Thomas Kelly, and the district’s solicitor reviewed and discussed the confrontation that was recorded by a protester and substantiated by school surveillance video, according to school district officials. They also noted that the school surveillance video did not substantiate the allegation by students and parents that the protesters banged on cars as students left school grounds, prior to their interaction with Ruff.

During his leave, a petition was created by students with the request to reinstate Ruff. Additionally, dozens of people expressed their views to school board members at the regularly scheduled meetings. People supported Ruff’s actions to protect the students while others said his language and behavior was unprofessional as he cursed

and he berated the two protesters, identified as Conner and Lauren Haines.

The viral video, which was posted on YouTube and also emailed to school district officials by other affiliated protesters, had received national news coverage.

“Since this matter has become a national news story, the school district has received hundreds of communications from people in and out of the community, some supporting Dr. Ruff and some condemning his actions,” school district officials said in a statement. “Hundreds of posts have been written on our social media pages and dozens of articles from news and online sources from across the nation have featured this situation.”

For Ruff, who served as a Downingtown Area School District employee for 15 years, the situation didn’t end with his resignation. Ruff and his husband said that they have been harassed by pro-life protesters in public and Ruff received hate mail and threats through social media.

Visit Daily Local News staff writer Ginger Rae Dunbar’s blog about journalism and volunteering as a firefighter at FirefighterGinger. blogspot.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Downingtown STEM Academy students created a petition to reinstate administrator Zachary Ruff who was suspended for his response to anti-abortion protesters outside of his school.

IMAGE FROM VIDEO Zachary Ruff, an administrator at the STEM Academy in Downingtown School District, confronts protesters outside the school.