Cherokee principal resigns;
District will take next steps to fill position

Cherokee Principal Chris Meisinger submitted a letter of resignation late Tuesday afternoon, which was acted upon Tuesday night by the Governing Board.

In a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the resignation and a corresponding Separation Agreement and Release.

The action came after the District completed its investigation into District officials' conduct as it relates to teacher David Renaud’s conduct. The investigative findings concluded that the Cherokee principal "exercised extremely poor judgment on a consistent basis, failed to take appropriate action on multiple occasions after learning of a pattern of complaints about Mr. Renaud's conduct with children, and accordingly failed to act in the best interests of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the District's children."

With the investigation complete, the Governing Board scheduled Tuesday’s special meeting for discussion and consideration of the employment, dismissal, discipline, or resignation of Mr. Meisinger.

“In light of tonight’s action by the Board, the District will immediately begin the process of finding a new principal for Cherokee,” said Kim Cumby, executive director of Human Resource Services.

“A campus committee, made up of parents and staff, will interview candidates and provide input to the superintendent for selecting the next principal,” Mrs. Cumby said. “Until that selection is made, Katy Cavanagh will remain as interim principal.” Mrs. Cavanagh is principal of Mountainside Middle School.
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