
DATE: Tuesday, November 18, 1997            TAG: 9711180289
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY KIA MORGAN ALLEN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   81 lines

WILSON HIGH PRINCIPAL DEMOTED FALLOUT AFTER LARGE FIGHT AT SCHOOL MAY HAVE PROMTED THE MOVE

Disgraced.

That's how William Gibson, the principal of Woodrow Wilson High School, said he felt when Superintendent Richard Trumble walked into his office Friday morning and told him that he would be demoted and transferred back to Churchland High School as assistant principal. Gibson took the top job at Wilson in 1996.

Rumors of Gibson's transfer have persisted since an October brawl at the school sent 22 students to a school nurse and shut the school for a day as faculty and administrators tried to assess the situation. But Gibson said he was ``totally surprised'' when he received word about his removal.

``I have done nothing wrong. I have been a good principal at Wilson High School, and Dr. Trumble knows that,'' Gibson said. ``I have done nothing that justifies being demoted to an assistant principal.''

Trumble could not be reached for comment, but Gibson said the superintendent told him that faculty and community calls for Gibson's resignation led to Trumble's action. Both parents and teachers had cited weak administrators and lax disciplinary action as reasons for Wilson's troubles.

Effective Nov. 24, Gibson will return to Churchland High, where he had served two years as assistant principal before taking the top job at Wilson in 1996. Gibson said Rosa Wells Garris, the principal of Waters Middle School, will replace him.

Scott Pease, a parent and a vocal critic of Gibson, said that although he has disagreed with the principal, he believes Gibson is being used as a scapegoat.

``Changes need to be made from the school board to parental involvement,'' Pease said. ``We need a school board who will stand behind the administration and an administration who will stand behind teachers when they say to students, `Not in my class.' ''

School board members were reluctant to comment on the transfer but said the superintendent is free to make such decisions without board approval.

``The superintendent has the authority to move principals back and forth wherever he wants to, and we more or less approve it as a personnel matter at the school board meetings,'' said Louise G. Walden, a school board member. ``It's not a board responsibility, so to speak.''

Gibson said he will appeal the decision to the school board and that he will seek legal advice. He also hopes to rally community support. He said the move back to Churchland has troubled him.

``Nobody wants to be disgraced. We're talking about taking a man and disgracing him by putting him back in the same building he came out of.''

Gibson said he will report to Churchland on Monday but admits: ``It's tough. I have to go out and continue to do my job, like today I had to walk in knowing. I have a lot of good friends at Churchland High School, though.

``When I left (Churchland) I received a standing ovation. Now I have to come back in disgrace, and that just doesn't seem fair.'' MEMO: Staff writer Rebecca Myers Cutchins contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

``I have done nothing wrong. I have been a good principal at Wilson

High School, and Dr. Trumble knows that.'' William Gibson Wilson

High principal who will return to Churchland High as assistant

principal on Monday Wilson High principal demoted

Graphic

DISMISSAL

Critics say . . . an October brawl, which sent 22 students to the

school nurse and shut down the school for a day, was evidence of a

weak administration and lax disciplinary action, leading to his

removal.

Others say . . . Gibson is being used as a scapegoat. ``We need a

school board who will stand behind the administration and an