Sandpoint Principal Reinstated Teachers, Parents, Students Went To Bat For The Popular Administrator

With a unanimous vote, the Bonner County School Board ended months of controversy by reinstating Sandpoint High School Principal A.C. Woolnough.

The popular principal was supposed to be demoted at the end of the school year and reassigned to a teaching post. Trustees cited a poor performance evaluation and philosophical differences for the demotion.

Teachers, parents and students protested the move. They raised money for Woolnough’s legal defense fund and even launched a recall drive against board members.

Woolnough also filed a lawsuit against the district for removing him without following proper procedures.

But during a closed-door meeting this week, trustees reversed their decision and offered Woolnough a one-year contract.

“I am extremely pleased that the board of trustees corrected an injustice and reinstated A.C. Woolnough,” said the principal’s attorney Steve Verby.

Woolnough, who earns nearly $60,000 annually, has headed the school for three years. He was elated to have his job back and thanked his supporters.

“To my supporters and also to those who were neutral or even a detractor, I would like to re-emphasize my commitment to the students and patrons of Bonner County,” Woolnough said. “It has always been, and continues to be, my intent to work with…staff to make Sandpoint High School the best possible learning environment for our kids.”

Woolnough was placed on probation in February after his evaluation. Since that time, he was put on an improvement plan and re-evaluated, said trustee Willard Osmunson.

“The administration came back to us and said there had been some improvements and recommended A.C. be given a contract for next year,” Osmunson said. “We agreed that was correct and what needed to be done.”

Neither side is saying if the decision will end the legal wrangling. The question still left unanswered by the demotion is if an administrator has the same rights as a tenured teacher. The school district and Verby expected to take the case to the Idaho Supreme Court.

“Unfortunately not all the issues in this case have been resolved,” Verby said. “It is my sincere desire that during the next year all the issues will be addressed and that appropriate solutions be found.”

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