Skiatook Parents And Students Question High School Principal's Suspension

By Dan Bewley and Terry Hood, The News On 6

SKIATOOK, Oklahoma -- There are more questions than answers in Skiatook after the high school principal was suspended. 

Donna Brogan was escorted from the high school Monday afternoon. 

No one is saying why, and parents and students say it's just another black eye for a beleaguered school district.

9/13/2010  Related Story: Skiatook High School Principal's Suspension Leaves Some Outraged

It was a packed school board meeting Monday night with emotions running high. Parents and students were looking for answers.

"We're very outraged. There's a lot of people that are very outraged," said Robert Ridenour, who is a parent.

"Ms. Brogan, she's a great principal, she just goes above and beyond everything we've ever asked of her. She treats us like we are her own kid," said Emily Cummings, who is a student.

Brogan was recently named Oklahoma's Secondary School Principal of the Year. Her suspension is the latest controversy to hit Skiatook schools. 

Former superintendent Dr. Gary Johnson resigned after a state audit revealed the district wasted more than a half-a-million dollars on overpriced goods and services. He was replaced by Steve Williams.

But a grand jury investigation of the district questioned Williams' leadership, saying it didn't appear he understood the duties of his job as assistant superintendent and that he never confronted Dr. Johnson about the overspent money. 

Students, parents and published reports indicate that Williams had Brogan suspended because he claims she mismanaged activity funds and allowed teachers to take undocumented sick time. 

But the parents The News On 6 spoke with find that hard to believe.

"Principal of the year versus incompetent assistant school superintendent. It's outrageous and shameful just like those kids were saying," said Ridenour.

The school board says it can't comment on a personnel matter and Steve Williams did not return our calls. 

The attorney for Donna Brogan tells The News On 6 this is payback for her speaking out against Williams.

The Skiatook school board decided Monday night to table whether to approve a new contract for Williams as superintendent.