Locker room investigation cited in principal’s leave
A letter informing Oakwood High School’s principal that he was placed on paid leave directs him to maintain records involving a girls’ locker room investigation.
Oakwood City Schools Superintendent Neil Gupta twice mentions the girls’ locker room investigation in his Feb. 2 letter to Paul Waller notifying the longtime principal that he is on paid administrative leave, according to documents obtained by the Dayton Daily News through a public records request.
“You are directed to preserve, unchanged, any work-related communications and property in your possession, including any text or email messages you have sent to or received from other Oakwood personnel, students or families related to the girls’ locker rooms investigation,” Gupta’s letter states.
The letter also instructs Waller to “refrain from having any contact with Oakwood students or their families regarding Oakwood High School business, including the recent girls’ locker rooms investigation.”
This news organization has reached out to Oakwood schools for comment on what Waller’s actions were that led to the leave notice and how they may be linked to the girls’ locker room investigation.
The Dayton Daily News is aware of multiple similar posts on social media alleging details of locker room incidents and subsequent response, but has not had them confirmed by the school district or a first-hand source.
District spokeswoman Amanda Brown said Friday afternoon Waller remains on paid administrative leave.
Gupta did not say why Waller was placed on leave when the action was announced Feb. 2, nor did he say how long the leave may last.
Patrick Masters, a retired administrator from Dayton and Northmont schools, was named interim principal. The school district worked with the county Educational Service Center to place Masters in the role, Brown said then.
Waller has served as Oakwood High School principal since August 2009, district records show. Waller has consistently scored in the top two categories in annual performance evaluations, Oakwood records show. The Dayton Daily News requested Waller’s personnel file and other documents Feb. 5 under Ohio’s public records law, and received them from the district Friday.
A 2015 evaluation signed by then-Superintendent Kyle Ramey stated he “had another great year as one of the very best principals in the entire state.”
The following year, Ramey cited Waller’s “excellent crisis management.”
Waller’s annual salary effective Aug. 1, 2023, was $156,093 with an annual annuity of $10,810, according to school district records.