Suspended Ardrey Kell principal reassigned to new position in CMS

CHARLOTTE — The principal at Ardrey Kell High School, David Switzer, has been reassigned to another position weeks after he was suspended as officials investigated accusations.

School district officials have never specified what those accusations were.

[ALSO READ: CMS suspends Ardrey Kell HS principal while ‘accusations are investigated’]

[READ MORE: Ardrey Kell students repaint rock with anti-racism messages after it was vandalized]

Switzer was suspended one week after the spirit rock at the high school was vandalized. Black Lives Matter messages painted by students were covered up. Someone later painted over the vandalism.

Two petitions circulated. One was in support of Switzer and the other called for his resignation.

Dozens rally to support suspended CMS principal after spirit rock with BLM message vandalized Dozens rally to support suspended CMS principal after spirit rock with BLM message vandalized

After the rock incident, Switzer denounced racism in a CMS video.

“I am sorry that incidents have happened at Ardrey Kell High School,” Switzer said in the video. “One incident is one too many, and it pains me to my core that some within our community continue to express racist views.”

In a message to staff students and families, the district said CMS and Switzer have agreed that after 10 years of his leadership at Ardrey Kell, a change is needed for the Ardrey Kell community.

Switzer accepted the position of Executive Director of Continuous Improvement and Logistics at the CMS central office.

The search for a new principal will begin immediately, CMS officials said.

CMS Message:

“Good afternoon, Ardrey Kell parents and students. This is Steve Esposito, the Southwest Learning Community Superintendent for CMS. I am calling this afternoon to communicate an update regarding Ardrey Kell High School.

“Both David Switzer and CMS agree that after 10 years as principal at Ardrey Kell High School, a change in leadership is needed. I would like to announce that Mr. Switzer has accepted a position as the executive director of Continuous Improvement and Logistics in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, effective immediately. This role will leverage his experience, talents, and relationships with all stakeholders. We appreciate Mr. Switzer’s 10 years of service to the Ardrey Kell community and wish him the best in his new position.

“A search for Ardrey Kell High School’s next principal will begin immediately. We will communicate with you in the coming days regarding the timeline for selecting the next principal at Ardrey Kell High School that will include input from students, staff, and community. In the meantime, I want to assure you that the AK students, staff, and families remain the focus of our work as we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.

“If you have any questions you typically would address to the school principal, please feel free to reach out to your department administrator/grade level administrator. In addition, please know that our learning community team will continue to support the AK administration as we prepare for the reopening of schools and we will continue to provide support for students and staff at Ardrey Kell to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment.

“If you have additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at stephen.esposito@cms.k12.nc.us, which can be found on the Ardrey Kell homepage in the top right corner. From there, you can click on the Southwest Learning community link which will redirect you to the Southwest Learning Community page.”

Cox Media Group