SALISBURY, Md. - There is new leadership at James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury after Wicomico County Pubic Schools announced a new acting principal Wednesday.
In a statement sent out to parents and staff, Wicomico County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin said assistant principal Erin Nathan will serve as the school's acting principal moving forward, replacing principal Amy Eskridge.
This comes after the school's guidance counselor, Allen Edward Mitchell, was arrested and charged with more than a dozen sex crime offenses in January.
Hanlin's statement did not specify why there was a change in leadership, only to say that she could not comment on legal matters related to the school.
"As noted in previous statements, legal matters related to James M. Bennett High continue to be in the hands of the States Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, and the Department of Social Services. There are clear legal restrictions on communications with and from the school system and the Board of Education. Those restrictions continue with the ongoing investigation, and we cannot interfere with the work of those outside entities," Hanlin said in the statement.
Hanlin's statement also said that the time frame for a resolution on these "legal matters" have exceeded what they originally anticipated. Hanlin said that's why they have remained on site for support and continued to work to make sure the high school is operating smoothly.
Vera Reed, an assistant principal at Bennett Middle School, will take over Nathan's position as the high school's assistant principal.
WBOC has reached out to the Wicomico County Board of Education but have not heard back. This story is developing. Stay with WBOC as we gather more information.
