High school principal’s future still uncertain

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

While Plum’s school superintendent has returned to the job, the fate of its high school principal remains unclear, as does the composition of its school board.

Before a 4-3 public vote last month to reinstate superintendent Timothy Glasspool from paid leave in the wake of a highly critical report by a grand jury that investigated a sexabuse scandal in the district, member Michelle Stepnick resigned.

After stepping down, Ms. Stepnick said she was concerned that some board members were not ready to accept the findings of an independent investigation by the Levin Legal Group, a Montgomery County firm that found no grounds to fire Mr. Glasspool for how he handled various complaints, rumors and allegations of inappropriate behavior by teachers toward students.

“Because it wasn’t what they wanted, they wanted to start another witch hunt,” Ms. Stepnick said recently. “My health can’t take much more. My family can’t take much more of this.”

Since then, however, Ms. Stepnick has had a change of heart and wants her board seat back. She joined nine other people, including Plum activist parent Bill Chapla, in applying for her former position. One of the 10 applicants withdrew his name, citing Ms. Stepnick’s intentions. The applicants have been narrowed to three finalists, including Ms. Stepnick.

“Everyone has a right to change their mind and especially in such a short time,” former candidate Jim Caliendo wrote to the district.

Board members have interviewed candidates and are expected to vote Tuesday on whether Ms. Stepnick or someone else will fill out her term, which runs until December 2017. Ms. Stepnick, however, said Tuesday that she rescinded her resignation Oct. 10.

“I had the opportunity to rescind. They did not vote or advertise a voting meeting to accept. It was never a vacant seat, according