CHARLOTTE — Dozens of people came out Wednesday night to support the suspended principal of Ardrey Kell High School.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools suspended David Switzer while it “investigates accusations,” but officials have not specified any details about those accusations.
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Parents and students carried signs, such as “Stand with Switzer,” to let the district know they support their principal.
“The reason I decided to do this is Mr. Switzer is the best capable person for Ardrey Kell,” organizer Julie Drago said. “We adore him here. He’s never been anything but a help to us. He can handle 3,400 students and do it perfectly as well. When I first heard about it, I was on my phone texting, like, ‘Let’s do something for him.’ I know he cares about every single one of his students and I know he would do that for us.”
The suspension took place one week after someone vandalized the school spirit rock by painting over a Black Lives Matter message.
Switzer said he was against the vandalism, saying the school will not tolerate racism, bigotry or hate.
CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston said he spoke with Switzer about the rock incident and other racial complaints in the school’s past.
After the rock was vandalized, two petitions about the principal started circulating. One pointed to the recent racist incidents and called for Switzer’s resignation, while the other called for him to keep his job and pointed to his commitment to students and staff.
Both had thousands of signatures.
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