Ann Aust, the principal of Meadowlark Elementary School, was suspended without pay yesterday, and Superintendent Don Martin is recommending that she be fired.
"Clearly, it is related to school operation and the duties of a principal," Martin said.
The matter doesn't have anything to do with relationships with students or with the curriculum, he said.
Neither is it a criminal matter nor related to the criminal-background checks that the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system will soon begin on all employees.
Martin declined to say any more about why Aust was suspended.
"It is a personnel matter that cannot be discussed," he said.
Martin said that his decision came after an internal investigation that began about a month ago based on tips from more than one person.
"We had several reports that came in to us from two or three different areas," Martin said. "After the investigation, I no longer have confidence in her ability to lead the school."
Because of various due-process procedures, he said, it will probably be 12 to 15 weeks before the school board will be able to consider his recommendation to dismiss Aust. Aust could not be reached by phone last night.
She was named principal of Meadowlark in 2003. She also taught for eight years at Sherwood Forest and Speas elementary schools.
Martin said that, as soon as possible, the school system will name an interim principal, possibly a retired principal, to lead Meadowlark Elementary until the school board decides whether to fire Aust. If the board members do vote to dismiss her, the search will begin for a new principal.
The school's staff members and parents were notified by an automated phone call last night.
School officials will meet with the staff members and send a letter home with students when classes resume Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday break.
wyoung@young.com
727-7369
Journal reporter Kim Underwood contributed to this report.
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