The principal at Richneck Elementary School in Virginia, where a 6-year-old boy shot his first-grade teacher, was removed from her position as children return to class Monday for the first time since the shooting with new safety protocols.
Briana Foster Newton, who was principal at the time of the Jan. 6 shooting, is no longer in that role but still works for Newport News Public Schools, district spokeswoman Michelle Price said Monday. It is unclear what her new role is.
Their outing marks the latest in a series of outings in the wake of the shooting that saw 25-year-old first grade teacher Abigail Zwerner seriously injured in the hand and chest and hospitalized.
Deputy director Dr. Ebony Parker has resigned, Price said Friday. The school system’s superintendent, George Parker III, was fired from his job Wednesday in a 5-1 vote at a school board meeting, effective February 1.
With the departure of the principal and assistant principal, Karen Lynch, the district’s extended learning supervisor and experienced elementary school principal, will serve as an administrator on special assignment at Richneck, coordinating students’ return to learning, Price said. .
With Parker’s departure imminent, the school board voted to name Dr. Michele Mitchell as interim Superintendent of Schools to oversee the district of approximately 26,500 students. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Student Advancement for Newport News Public Schools, the district said.
Back to school: transparent backpacks, metal detectors and security agents
School will look a little different for Richneck students returning Monday.
Two permanent school division security officers will be present, two metal detector systems have been installed, doors have been installed in classroom areas without one and all students will receive clear backpacks on Monday, according to the district.
Emotional support services for students, families, and staff will continue to include in-person services.
Teacher recovers, they will file a lawsuit
Police hailed Zwerner as a hero, saying she was intentionally shot, and despite her injuries, she managed to safely escort about 20 students out of her classroom.
She was released from the hospital earlier this month and continues to recover.
On Wednesday, Zwerner’s attorney, Diane Toscano, announced that she will file a lawsuit on behalf of her client. Toscano said three teachers went to school administration about the boy’s behavior Jan. 6 and said she was believed to have a weapon on campus, but those concerns were not taken seriously.
In one incident between a teacher who raised concern and an administrator, an administrator said, “wait for the situation because the school day was almost over,” Toscano said.
No charges have been announced in the case.
Police Chief Steve Drew said the boy’s mother legally purchased the Taurus 9mm firearm used in the shooting and the boy took the gun from his home. Whether he was properly insured is a key element in the investigation, he said.
The family of the boy who shot Zwerner said in a statement that the boy “is acutely disabled and was under a care plan at school” that included his mother or father attending classes with him.
The statement said the gun was “secured” when he took it from his home, but did not elaborate.
“The week of the shooting was the first week we weren’t in class with him. We will mourn our absence that day for the rest of our lives,” the statement said. Since the shooting, the boy has been in a hospital. receiving the “treatment that he needs,” he said.
