David Zehner said he met for 2 minutes with officials, turned in keys and ID and left.
View full sizeDavid Zehner at Jordan-Elbridge High School shortly after he took over as principal in 2006.Elbridge, NY -- David Zehner is out — at least temporarily — as principal at Jordan-Elbridge High School.
Zehner said he was called into a two-minute meeting with school officials Monday afternoon and was suspended with pay.
“I haven’t been told of any charges,” he said Tuesday.
J-E School Superintendent Marilyn Dominick on Tuesday would not say whether the principal was suspended. She would only say he left Monday, but was not escorted from the property.
Dominick announced the departure to parents of high school students in a letter sent home on Monday.
“Dave Zehner will not be with us for a while,” was all she said Tuesday when asked about his leaving. She made the same comment in the letter to parents.
“I really can’t talk to you about it, or what it is,” she said Tuesday.
Zehner did not clean out his office, Dominick said, and she would not say if — or when — he would be back in the building to collect his personal belongings.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” she said. “We’re not that far long in the process.”
Zehner said the meeting was with Dominick; assistant superintendent for instruction, Susan Gorton, and a union representative. He said he turned in his keys and identification after the brief meeting.
Zehner, who has tenure, said the district must bring charges or reinstate him.
Zehner has been high school principal since January 2006. Before that he was math teacher for 10 years and an assistant principal for eight years.
Associate High School Principal Mary Thomas-Madonna, will serve as interim principal, Dominick said. Elizabeth Primo assumes the role of interim associate principal, she said.
Primo served as interim principal at Elbridge Elementary School after Principal Janice Schue moved into the job of special projects administrator. Schue still holds that position.
“The Board of Education and I are confident that we will be able to continue the school year with no disruption in our programs or education to our students,” Dominick said in her letter to parents.
Dominick also told parents in the letter they can contact her with questions but hinted there would be few answers.
“While I am limited as to the information I am able to share,” she wrote, “I will try and help you, if I am able.”
Contact John Stith at jstith@syracuse.com or 251-5718.