News Summary
Griffin Middle School’s Principal Zelena O’Banner has resigned following allegations of financial misconduct that led to a district investigation. The resignation, effective February 25, comes after a tumultuous three-month period during which she was on paid leave. Allegations include improper financial transactions and policy violations. With assistant principal Patrick Wright stepping in as interim principal, the school community faces uncertainty about future leadership and stability.
Breaking News from Tallahassee: Griffin Middle School Principal Resigns Amid Controversy
In a surprising turn of events, Principal Zelena O’Banner of Griffin Middle School has stepped down from her position as the school’s leader, effective February 25. This resignation marks the end of a tumultuous three-month period during which O’Banner was on paid administrative leave, all while a district investigation into allegations of financial misconduct unfolded.
The Investigation Unveiled
The investigation, which began in December and wrapped up in late February, was prompted by concerns raised by a teacher regarding not only the principal’s actions but also those of the former guidance counselor at the school. Although the Leon County school district has not disclosed all the specific details surrounding the allegations, reports indicate some serious claims against O’Banner. It has been alleged that she improperly deposited funds from a school fundraiser into her own personal bank account, borrowed thousands from a teacher without paying it back, and had fellow staff members performing personal favors for her during school hours.
This situation escalated to the point where it was determined that O’Banner had violated School Board Policy 1210, which governs the use of institutional privileges for personal gain. There were further findings regarding the mishandling of internal accounts and timesheets as well, stirring up quite a bit of unrest in the school community.
What’s Going to Happen Next?
As of now, the school district has named Assistant Principal Patrick Wright as the interim principal while they search for a new leader. The timeline for appointing a permanent principal remains uncertain, leaving both faculty and students feeling a bit unsettled during this transitional period.
On a brighter note, the community might be curious about the future direction of Griffin Middle School. The school has seen O’Banner at the helm since her appointment in 2017, following a lengthy tenure as an assistant principal at Deerlake Middle School for 14 years. However, her decades-long career in education—22 years in total within the district—has now been abruptly affected by these recent events.
O’Banner’s Response to Allegations
In light of the investigation and the serious nature of the allegations, O’Banner has firmly denied any wrongdoing. However, the culmination of these events led her to resign, which she claims was a move to protect her reputation and retirement benefits amid ongoing scrutiny. Public records requests have already been initiated to get more information regarding the findings of the investigation. This means that further information might trickle down soon.
The Former Guidance Counselor’s Situation
Adding to the turmoil, the former guidance counselor at Griffin Middle School has also faced disciplinary action and received a week-long suspension without pay due to her own violations of district policies. The investigation has also pointed to inconsistencies in employee timesheets, with reports of staff logging hours for work that might never have been performed.
Conclusion
As the dust settles from this surprising news, both students and faculty at Griffin Middle School are left wondering how this will affect their school community moving forward. With an interim principal in place and concerns about finances still on everyone’s minds, there is a collective hope that clarity and stability will soon return to Griffin Middle School. Only time will tell as the school district continues to tackle these serious allegations and work towards a brighter path ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Principal Resigns Amid Investigation
- CBS News: Florida Principal Resigns Over Complaints
- BBC News: David Sculpture Controversy
- WTXL: Parents Speak Out After Resignation
- AP News: Florida Censorship and Controversies
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
