The announcement, which came during the week students are taking the Ohio Graduation Test, spurred social media posts among parents and students speculating that there was acrimony between the new school board and Malone.
Junior student Maria Kallas sent an email to the board members, calling the move “a monumental shift in goals.”
“Instead of the students working towards academics, we are currently fighting in a battle against our board of education because there is no way we can thrive without our ‘word from Dr. Malone’ in every morning’s announcements or the constant ‘Hello. How are you?’ upon passing Dr. Malone in the hallways,” Kallas wrote. “He is the rock on which our school’s excellent status has been built.”
Concerned parent Debbie Christian said the students’ positive display of support for their principal is a reflection of Malone’s positive influence on them.
“There are many parents and students concerned about the direction of our school without Dr. Malone as the principal,” she said.
Malone has been in education 40 years, 12 at Springboro. He said through email that he was overwhelmed by the community’s reaction to the change.
“I am appreciative and grateful for their support,” he said.
When asked to clarify for the community what led to the move to the district office, Malone simply echoed what officials said.
“When the decision was announced, it was stated that there was interest in the high school going in a different direction. I am not sure what direction that is,” he said.
Board President Scott Anderson said the board wants to transition Malone to have a broader role in improving the performances of the district’s other school buildings. He said the high school has blue ribbon status and has received top ratings by the state in large part because of Malone’s leadership.
“Dr. Malone is an excellent principal. ... We don’t know how much longer he’ll stay before he retires. The board would like to leverage his talents in the central office,” Anderson said.
In terms of adding another position during tough economic times, Anderson said there are anticipated changes that he was not at liberty to discuss that will level out the extra money paid in hiring a new principal.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6985 or Richard.Wilson@coxinc.com.
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