Fireable offense, or just incredibly bad judgment that merits less drastic discipline? You make the call in the case of the principal, the six-year-old and the toilet.
An elementary school principal in Eagan, MN, is on paid leave after the parents of a kindergarten student said he made their son remove paper towels the boy had dropped into a toilet.
The boy’s parents, Elijah and Shannon Hannah, filed a complaint against Principal Doug Steele in an incident involving one of their sons, who hasn’t been named in media coverage by the Star Tribune.
The boy claims the trouble started when he used a bathroom and wiped himself with paper towels, accidentally causing the toilet to clog.
The boy’s teacher called the principal who allegedly made the boy clear out the toilet bowl bare-handed.
Through his attorney, Steele has provided a slightly different story. He says the toilet contained only water and paper towels and that he only asked the six-year-old boy to remove the towels and put them in the trash.
Steele’s attorney says firing would be too harsh a penalty.
Elijah Hannah says the principal should lose his job. The Hannahs have said they will consider legal action if the district doesn’t fire Steele.
Steele is entitled to a hearing, and asked for one, which could take two to three months.
His attorney claims the school board wants to fire Steele.
Citing legal reasons, the school district said it will continue to decline comment on the case until the end of the hearing process.
The only information we have so far on this case is what’s been reported in the media. However, Steele does admit he made the boy take paper towels out of the toilet with his bare hands.
Is firing too harsh in this case? Let us know what you think in the Comments Box below.
