Katy Cavanagh, principal at Mountainside Middle School, has been assigned today to Cherokee Elementary School as the interim principal. This step follows action taken by the District late yesterday, Jan. 21, in which Cherokee Principal Chris Meisinger was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the District's investigation into all circumstances related to teacher David Renaud's conduct. Yesterday’s action was taken in order not to compromise the District's investigation. It came after the District learned from police officials of new allegations and charges against Mr. Renaud.

“Mrs. Cavanagh was selected for this assignment based on her years of experience as an administrator and teacher. She has a proven record of working with students, teachers, and parents; and she has demonstrated the skills necessary to handle critical situations,” said Kim Cumby, executive director of Human Resource Services.

Mrs. Cavanagh has been principal at Mountainside Middle School for three years. She was hired at the District in 1989 as a teacher at Sequoya Elementary School. Mrs. Cavanagh also served as an assistant principal at Mountainside and as a principal at Yavapai Elementary School.

In a letter sent home today with students at Cherokee, Mrs. Cavanagh wrote: “Assistant Principal Roxanne Dorn and I met with faculty and staff first thing this morning to share information and assure them that there will be resources on campus to assist during this difficult period. Our priority will continue to be the needs of your children.”

Additionally, Mrs. Cavanagh wrote: “I am here to help our teachers stay focused on their students. Today was spent meeting with teachers, students, and parents. I have known Mrs. Dorn for many years, and at one point, we shared office space. We will draw on the past teamwork experience to move forward together here at Cherokee.”

“We do not know how long Mrs. Cavanagh will be in this interim position,” Mrs. Cumby said. “Our goal is to have an experienced administrator at the school as the investigation continues.”

While Mrs. Cavanagh is at Cherokee, Mountainside Assistant Principal Tanya Beckwith will be the main contact at the middle school site.

In a separate letter that went home with Mountainside students, Mrs. Cavanagh wrote: “I will work closely with Assistant Principal Tanya Beckwith to make sure things continue to run smoothly at Mountainside. We have a great team of faculty and staff here, and I am confident my service to Cherokee will not adversely impact the educational opportunities for our children at Mountainside.”
#