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Brookings-Harbor board announces acceptance of high school principal's resignation amid community concern
Summary
The Brookings-Harbor School District board announced it had accepted the high school principal's resignation and heard multiple public commenters who praised the board's action, urged stronger vetting of future hires and raised concerns about staff safety online. Union and longtime staff members urged support for employees while a resident highlighted suicide-prevention resources.
The Brookings-Harbor School District board opened its Sept. 17 meeting by announcing that it had accepted the resignation of the high school principal, a decision the chair described as necessary after a difficult week for the community.
The board's chair announced the resignation during public-comment instructions, saying the board "have accepted the resignation of Mr. Harkin" and encouraged anyone with concerns to meet with district leaders after the meeting. The chair prefaced the public-comment period by acknowledging the "emotional issue" the events of the past days had created for staff, students and families.
Several speakers used the public-comment period to express relief and to urge continued protections for staff and students. "For addressing our community's concerns, your prompt reaction to this egregious situation has resulted in the welcome acceptance of principal Harkin's resignation," a resident commenter (Resident commenter (S8)) said.
Michael McQueen, president of the Brookings Harbor Education Association (S10), said the union supported the superintendent and board response and raised staff-safety concerns: "Many of my friends and neighbors are feeling uncomfortable and uneasy following the events of the last 5 days," McQueen said, adding that staff had reported being verbally harassed while wearing employee badges.
Longtime educator Nikki Darger (S12) urged the board to consider stronger policies around social media and vetting, saying the district must guard against cycles of personal attacks on staff: "I don't want our children to think that we can use social media as a way to attack people personally," she said. Athena Lyons (S11) suggested the board consider consolidated leadership models and heightened vetting of candidates and close associates.
In a separate public comment, resident Gordon Clay (S1) emphasized mental-health resources, noting the federal "988" crisis line and a crisis-text service number he provided and offering to distribute printed youth suicide-prevention materials to the district.
The board did not record a formal roll-call vote in the public transcript for the resignation announcement; the chair framed the acceptance as an action the district had taken and offered to meet with concerned community members after the meeting. The board later moved on to routine business, including consent-agenda items and policy readings.
What happens next: Board members repeatedly said they intend to work to rebuild trust in the high school and ensure continuity of services while the district fills the leadership gap.
