Former Garth Elementary principal asks to withdraw his resignation
A former Scott County elementary school principal has asked to withdraw the resignation that he submitted to the superintendent earlier this month.
Terry Quillen, former principal of Garth Elementary School, resigned last week after an undisclosed “incident” on Nov. 30. According to a document in Quillen’s personnel file the Herald-Leader obtained through an open records request, Quillen said he was not given adequate time to consider his decision. Quillen requested that his withdrawal request be placed on the agenda for the Scott County school board meeting on Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Scott County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hub declined Friday to comment on the specifics of the incident, but an organization associated with the school is upset.
The board of the Garth Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization issued a statement Friday morning on Quillen’s resignation.
“Mr. Quillen made an instant impact the moment he was given the keys to Garth Elementary,” the statement reads. “There was a sense throughout the building of confidence, community, and what he believed was the cornerstone of any quality work environment, respect. Something that our school had lacked for some time. He genuinely believed every student could learn and that all staff/parent input was quality input.”
The statement further reads that Quillen’s resignation came as a “shock to everyone” and alleges that Hub declined emails and phone calls from parents about the situation.
“When you have someone that was as loved as Mr. Quillen, so loved by students that multiple tears were and are still being shed, you want that person back,” the statement concludes. “WE all feel that there is more to the story. WE all want what is best for our children. WE are parents who are respectfully voicing their concerns on what seem to be deaf ears. WE expect Dr. Hub to respectfully acknowledge us.”
A classroom teacher also resigned due to the incident.
Paul Krueger, director of elementary education for the school system, is serving as the acting principal.
Trey Crumbie: 859-231-3261, @CrumbieHLeader
Garth Elementary PTO Full Statement
Mr. Quillen made an instant impact the moment he was given the keys to Garth Elementary. There was a sense throughout the building of confidence, community, and what he believed was the cornerstone of any quality work environment, respect. Something that our school had lacked for some time. He genuinely believed every student could learn and that all staff/parent input was quality input.
His resignation came as a shock to everyone. As a matter of fact, the faculty and staff were notified through an email in the early part of Friday (December 2nd) from Dr. Hub. I’m certain that this had an impact on the rest of their day. It concerns me that Dr. Hub spoke with media outlets regarding the resignation but continues to decline numerous emails and parent phone calls from concerned, tax-paying parents regarding the situation.
When you have someone that was as loved as Mr. Quillen, so loved by students that multiple tears were and are still being shed, you want that person back. WE all feel that there is more to the story. WE all want what is best for our children. WE are parents who are respectfully voicing their concerns on what seem to be deaf ears. WE expect Dr. Hub to respectfully acknowledge us.
This story was originally published December 9, 2016 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Former Garth Elementary principal asks to withdraw his resignation."