Schools and Education One Manatee Principal Resigns While Another is Suspended

BRADENTON -- Southeast High Principal Catherine Smith resigned this week, effective October 31, 2012. Ms. Smith, who was named principal at Southeast in July 2010, has been replaced on an interim basis by Southeast High Assistant Principal Shane Hall.

Ms. Smith is currently on paid administrative leave as the result of an internal investigation by the Manatee County School District’s Office of Professional Standards. By statute, the results of the investigation cannot be released by the school district until August 24, 2012.

Manatee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim McGonegal has suspended Bayshore High School Principal David Underhill three days without pay following an internal district investigation. Underhill had agreed to enter a 90-day pre-trial intervention program, when a man reported to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office that the principal had grabbed him by the throat and threatened to kill him because he thought the man was videotaping him and his wife while dancing. The incident occured at the Banana Factory this June.

The district says Underhill signed a stipulation accepting the district’s disciplinary action and has waived his right to an administrative hearing. According to the district, the timing of Mr. Underhill’s suspension without pay is still being determined and will be assessed in a way that causes minimal disruption to Bayshore High students and staff.

”We must – and will – hold all of our administrators to a high level of professional conduct at all times,“ Superintendent McGonegal said in a release. ”David Underhill has been a fine principal and we have complete trust in his ability to continue to lead Bayshore High School. However, he realizes he had a lapse in judgment, made a mistake and he has fully accepted responsibility and the consequences for his actions.“