‘Save our principal.’ Central KY principal fights demotion. His supporters launch protest.

With more than 60 of Woodford County High School Principal Morgan Howell’s supporters protesting Thursday morning to demand he keep his job, Howell said he had been demoted after refusing to resign.

Howell told the Herald-Leader that on April 25, Woodford Superintendent Danny Adkins and the assistant superintendent informed him that he needed to resign or he would be demoted from a principal to a teacher.

“I am going to fight it,” said Howell, explaining that he would appeal the decision.

Adkins told the Herald-Leader Wednesday night that he could not comment.

Parents and other supporters lined the road in front of Woodford County High School Thursday morning holding signs that said “Honk for Howell” and “Save Our Principal.” They yelled and chanted, “We support Howell.”

Vehicles, including school buses, honked in support. By 8 a.m., the crowd increased as students joined in.

Parent Nancy Church wore a t-shirt that said “I support Howell.”

“We love Mr. Howell,” said Church. “He’s fantastic at his job. Anybody who thinks otherwise, I would definitely dispute them.”

Howell said the school has been academically successful since he became principal in July 2020. But he said Adkins told him things weren’t going in the right direction and that Howell’s military experience made him too “black and white.” Howell said he currently serves with the Kentucky Army National Guard.

“The implication was he didn’t think I was doing a good job,” said Howell. Howell said he had been placed on a corrective action plan.

In response, Howell said ACT scores increased, there were huge gains on a state survey of teacher satisfaction, and the school had received high scores on “walkthroughs” by district officials.

But he said on Monday he received a letter essentially saying he was being demoted from a principal to a teacher position. Howell said he did not think the criticisms from the superintendent about a lack of communication and student failures were valid.

Howell said he had also supported teachers who had concerns over how federal COVID-19 dollars were spent in the school district. Teachers were asked to sign time sheets showing that their salaries for three months were funded by the COVID dollars “and they were not comfortable with doing so,” he said.

Howell said his last day is, as of now, June 30. A Monday letter from Adkins to Howell said he had determined that the demotion was “necessary and appropriate.”

He said Howell would be assigned a position for the 2022-23 school year consistent with his teaching certification. Adkins said in the letter that a written statement that included specific grounds would be provided to Howell.

By Wednesday night, parents and other supporters were spreading the word that they were holding a protest on Thursday morning against the demotion.

“My support of Mr. Howell is grounded in the loyalty and respect of those who work side by side with him – the teachers and faculty of Woodford High School,” said parent Lynne Mortiere. “They support him as he has supported them through his term as principal. “

Susan Strange, a parent and teacher, said “Mr. Howell is what is best for Woodford County High School.”

“He supports the teachers and the staff and he supports the students. He wants to see students not only reach graduation, but be successful in whatever they choose to do after high school,” said Strange. “He does not deserve this and the superintendent has made a very bad call.

“The sheer amount of support he is receiving from not only the teachers and staff, but from the students and the community at large should attest to this.”

After the protest, Howell told the Herald-Leader he was “humbled, awesome support and show of appreciation.”

“My plan is to appeal the demotion and take it as far as I can,” he said.

This story was originally published May 5, 2022 at 6:49 AM.