Harrisburg board approves personnel items, waives expulsion hearing and names acting John Harris principal
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Summary
Trustees approved a waiver of expulsion hearing agreement and a contract for Roma Benjamin as acting John Harris High School principal at a prorated $138,000 salary; the personnel agenda passed 8–1, with one 'no' vote over concerns about expulsions and supports.
The Harrisburg City School District Board approved several personnel items during its Dec. 2 meeting, including a waiver of expulsion hearing for a student at Shenandoah and a separate contract for Roma Benjamin to serve as acting principal at John Harris High School.
The administration recommended the immediate-action waiver for the student; trustees discussed alternatives to expulsion and the importance of providing programs and supports. "We just need to give these kids some things to get involved in," said Mister Carter, urging proactive supports in lieu of reactive discipline. Miss Robinson framed the waiver as a negotiated process intended to preserve students’ educational continuity: "When our students are expelled, they're not thrown out into the streets," she said, explaining the district relocates expelled students and continues their education.
Personnel votes: The board approved the waiver by roll call (9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). Trustees then considered the personnel agenda and a separate contract employment for an acting principal. The personnel agenda passed 8–1 (Miss Robinson voted no); the contract to appoint Roma Benjamin as acting principal at John Harris, at a prorated salary of $138,000, also passed 8–1 with the same dissent.
On the acting principal: Administrators confirmed the appointment is an acting, temporary placement while the district launches a national search for a permanent John Harris principal in February. Doctor Henry and other administrators said they will post the vacancy broadly and that Benjamin is eligible to apply for the permanent role. The administration committed to ongoing reporting on John Harris, including quarterly updates requested by trustees.
Other context: During discussion administrators noted the MTSS supervisor position currently funded by the Department of Justice STOP grant (about $140,000) and that some grant-funded behavioral-support positions remain hard to fill. Trustees also raised school-safety concerns at John Harris and asked administration to develop a plan for safety and support.
The approvals give administrators authority to implement the personnel changes and to proceed with the national principal search; trustees asked for regular updates on outcomes and performance measures for the acting principal role.