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Residents and staff urge school board to explain nonrenewal of principal Ashley Ward and AD Patrick Kane
Summary
A resident and a staff member criticized the board’s decision not to renew contracts of principal Ashley Ward and athletic director Patrick Kane, citing accomplishments including accreditation, new courses and fundraising; both speakers asked the board for transparency about the rationale.
Jean Campbell, a resident of the 2nd District, used the public‑comment period to urge the board to explain why it chose not to renew the contracts of two high‑school administrators, naming principal Ashley Ward and athletic director Patrick Kane.
"Over the past 2 years, I have witnessed their commitment to student well‑being," Campbell said, listing accomplishments she attributed to Ward, including full accreditation, the addition of 17 new courses and introduction of field hockey. She also credited Kane with arranging games after weather cancellations and securing outside fundraising: "This along with $6,000 previously awarded to the volleyball, basketball, and field hockey programs was made possible through Patrick's efforts."
A staff member who identified themself as a King William County staff member and coach also addressed the board, saying, "I'm absolutely disappointed as I have seen nothing but positive things come over the last 2 years from Mrs. Ward," and urged the board to be transparent about the nonrenewal decisions.
Both speakers emphasized community‑level impacts and asked the board to provide more information about the rationale for nonrenewing the administrators’ contracts. The board did not offer detailed public explanations at the meeting; the transcript records the public commenters’ calls for transparency but does not record a board response explaining the personnel decisions.
