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Parents, alumni and students urge board to explain removal of Brookings High principal
Summary
Dozens of speakers at the Brookings School District 05-1 meeting criticized the removal of Brookings High School principal Justin Stanley, citing his support for students, alleging procedural problems and asking whether the district provided opportunities for remediation; the board’s attorney said personnel matters are not discussed publicly.
Dozens of parents, alumni and former students used the public-comment period at the Brookings School District 05-1 board meeting to press for clarity and due process after the removal of Brookings High School principal Justin Stanley.
“She stands with Justin Stanley,” said Sheila Shore, who told the board she has had difficulty getting the athletic department to follow IEP and 504 procedures for her child and described disciplinary action taken outside the handbook and without notification to parents. Multiple speakers followed with personal accounts of Stanley’s work with students, saying he had provided long-term support to struggling pupils, maintained an open-door policy and had a “heart for education.”
Nicole Weir, who identified herself as a Brookings alum and parent, questioned why supervisors above the principal had not ensured required evaluations were completed and suggested that vague explanations for the dismissal were fueling community anger. “If he’s asking for help…that was totally wrong,” she said, describing the stigma of dismissing someone for mental-health struggles.
Morgan Cons, speaking as a local school-board member from another district, urged the Brookings board to consider how an abrupt removal affects public confidence and asked the board to reflect on the decision’s impact on trust. Cons also raised a possible conflict-of-interest concern, saying a district-employed lawyer also had ties to a family involved in a separate assault matter.
Board attorney Rich Helzberg told attendees that personnel matters are governed by South Dakota law and that the board will not respond to personnel issues during public comment or in open session; he said personnel issues are handled in executive session until final action is taken and warned against personal attacks.
The board did not discuss personnel matters on the public record during the meeting. Several residents asked whether Mr. Stanley had been given opportunity for remediation or if board members had personally spoken with him; the public record at the meeting did not provide an answer. The board later moved forward with routine business items and said personnel topics remain subject to executive-session rules.
