Teachers and parents urge board to reverse reassignment of Greer Elementary principal

Several teachers and staff from Greer Elementary told the Albemarle County School Board they want the district to reverse its decision to reassign principal Dr. Steve Saunders.

Britney Lyons, a Greer teacher, said under Dr. Saunders the school implemented strategic grouping and stronger instructional leadership that cut the share of students below the 50th percentile in oral reading fluency from 81 percent to 46 percent. "Because of his leadership, our students are now meeting and exceeding district averages," Lyons said.

Claire LaPlante, a reading specialist, cited multiple mid‑year assessment gains and warned that the reassignment threatens literacy progress and staff stability. "Removing Dr. Saunders from Greer is like taking the engine out of one car and placing it into another and expecting the first car to continue to function," LaPlante said, adding that "at least 10 staff members are already leaving."

Jana Bailey, Greer librarian, told the board that Greer, a Title I school whose student population is majority Black and Latina and roughly 83 percent economically disadvantaged, deserves stable leadership. She said assigning a leader who has driven success at a Title I school to a more affluent school raises equity concerns about where leadership is sustained.

Lori Aldridge, a teacher with nearly 30 years’ experience, called the removal "disheartening and confusing" and said the board is responsible for ensuring leadership decisions serve students' best interests. "He is an outstanding leader who has built trust in teachers, students, and families," Aldridge said.

Board members did not take formal action on personnel during the public comment period. The speakers asked the board to weigh community input as the district proceeds with the principal reassignment and search for a replacement at Greer.