Carroll principal not renewed

FLORA, Ind. (WLFI) - There was a unanimous decision not to renew a principal's contract.  Despite the support of students, parents, taxpayers and teachers, the principal of Carroll High School is about to lose his job.  

Dozens of supporters spoke in favor of Carroll High School principal Charles Huckstep after the corporation's superintendent recommended his contract not be renewed.

“We think we have a good school and it's because we have a good leader,” said Carroll High School math teacher Gary Duff.

Duff presented the board of trustees a petition signed by other members of the Carroll High School faculty asking the board to re-sign Huckstep to a new two-year contract.  Duff was one of 30 people to speak in favor of Huckstep, who has been principal at Carroll High School for seven years.   But, while the crowd was unanimous in its support of Huckstep, the board was unanimous in its decision not to re-new his contract.

Teacher Glen Dillman said he was stunned by the vote.

“He's the kind of guy that would take care of your kids. He does that. We do that. For some reason, the board's not very happy with him, and I don't know why they're doing this,” Dillman said.

“We have a very high accreditation status and everybody's feeling good about our school, but our school board, I guess,” Duff said.

School board president Sam Zook would not comment on the board's decision and would not go on-camera to discuss the vote. Huckstep said he will now look for another job in education.

“I simply have done the best job that I can do. As you heard people say, scores have gone up, people appreciate what I've done here, so it's entirely up to the school board when they make a decision,” Huckstep said.

Huckstep would not discuss his conversations with the school board leading up to Thursday's decision.

His contract expires on June 30, 2012.