The Newport News School Board fired its superintendent after a 6-year-old shot and injured his teacher at Richneck Elementary School earlier this month.
The school board voted 5-1 on Wednesday to remove Superintendent George Parker, effective Feb. 1, The Virginian-Pilot reports.
“It is important that we state that this decision was made without cause as Dr. Parker is a capable division leader who has served NNPS for nearly five years through some extremely challenging circumstances,” School Board Chair Lisa Surles-Law said. “This decision is based on the future trajectory and needs of our school division.”
Parker has faced increased criticism after the shooting of Abby Zwerner, 25, on Jan. 6 by a 6-year-old student. It was the third shooting in the district in 18 months.
Parents and teachers demanded that Parker be fired as they blamed his administration for failing to properly handle “out of control” student behavior, according to the Virginian-Pilot.
After the shooting the Washington Post obtained messages of teachers, including Zwerner, warning officials about the child’s behavior and seeking help, but they were dismissed. One teacher detailed an instance in which the boy wrote a note telling another teacher he hated her and wanted to light her on fire and watch her die. The teacher brought the note to school administrators and was told to drop the matter.
Parker also revealed that administrators had been made aware that the child may have had a weapon on the day of the shooting but said the boy’s backpack was searched and no weapon was found. Police say they were not aware of this tip until after the shooting.
Parker was hired as superintendent of the school district in 2018 under a four year contract which was extended two years later through June 2024. As part of his separation agreement, he will receive severance pay equal to two years of his current base salary plus benefits. His current salary is $251,057.
[Image: AP Photo/John C. Clark]
