Douglass Principal Resigns Following Investigation Into Allegations

The investigation into allegations at Douglass High School is complete and investigators say they will release their finding at a press conference Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 24th 2012, 5:17 pm

By: News 9

Douglass Principal Resigns Following Investigation Into Allegations

The principal of Douglass High resigned Wednesday after the conclusion of an investigation into allegations of grades tampering and manipulation of attendance records.

Investigators released their findings at a press conference Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

OKCPS released the following statment regarding the investigation:

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Superintendent Karl Springer has accepted the resignation of Dr. Brian Staples, the Douglass Mid-High School principal effective November 15th.

On October 10^th district administration announced Dr. Staples was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation; based on allegations presented to the Oklahoma City Public School District Board of Education in June 2012. The Oklahoma City Public School District hired an independent attorney who conducted the extensive investigation.

"Our independent investigation is complete. Today, we are sending the outcome of the investigation and corresponding documents to the US Department of Education, OK State Department of Education and the Oklahoma County District Attorney. As always we will cooperate fully with these authorities," said Karl Springer, OKCPS Superintendent.

OKCPS district leaders are also notifying the OK Secondary Schools Activities Association, that the investigation did not find any infractions that would affect athletic eligibility at Douglass Mid-High School.

"We want to assure everyone that we will do everything possible to protect the integrity of the Douglass students, staff and community," added Springer. "We recognize that this situation has been extremely difficult for the students, staff and Douglass community; it has been difficult for us as well. "

Now that this investigation is complete, OKCPS will to continue to focus on the students at Douglass Mid-High School. Three veteran educators will join the staff at Douglass Mid-High School to provide ongoing, onsite leadership to support the existing administrative leadership team in the interim.

The new staff members include:

Barbara Davis, will lead the administrative team as the interim principal for Douglass Mid-High School; she has more than 30 years experience as a teacher and building administrator. Davis joined OKCPS in 1980 as a teacher at John Marshall High School and went on to serve as assistant principal at John Marshall High School, Webster Middle School, Harding Middle School and most recently Oklahoma Centennial Mid-High School. She is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University and received her Master's Degree in Secondary Education Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Joyce Henderson will join the administrative team as an academic consultant for Douglass Mid-High School through the end of the fall semester. Henderson is a retired teacher and administrator with a long and well respected history with OKCPS. Henderson was the first principal of Classen School of Advanced Studies which opened in 1994 as a magnet school. Henderson has also served as principal of Emerson High School, Northeast High School, Star Spencer High School and Harding Middle School. She has been inducted into the Langston University Hall of Fame and was a finalist for the Medal of Excellence in Administration from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Later this month, she will be inducted into the Foundation for OKCPS Wall of Fame for her commitment and service to students.

Howard Walker has been added to the administrative team at Douglass Mid-High School as the middle school dean of students serving grades 7^th and 8^th. Walker is a proud graduate of Douglass High School and holds a Bachelors Degree is Education and a Masters Degree is Administration from Oklahoma City University. Walker most recently served as an educational technology specialist for OKCPS and trained teachers across the district on innovative and effective ways to integrate technology into the classroom.

"The leadership and stability the three member administration team brings to Douglass Mid-High School will provide continuity and strength to the students, faculty, staff and community during the interim period," said Karl Springer, OKCPS Superintendent. "We want to thank everyone for their patience during this difficult time. Douglass Mid-High School has a strong rich tradition and we will maintain the integrity of this great school. I am confident, because of the steps we are taking, that Douglass will emerge stronger, and even better able to serve the students, parents and community."

For more information on Oklahoma City Public Schools visit www.okcps.org or like OKCPublicSchools on Facebook.

Read more about the investigation into Douglass High School: