Community up in arms over Dover HS principal’s contract

The 2015 school year will be Dr. Evelyn Edney’s last as Dover High School’s principal.

However, the fact that there was no reason given to her, or the public, has residents upset.

“She loves working at Dover High, the students love her, and she doesn’t understand,” says Roy Sudler Jr., chairperson of the Social Action Commission. “It’s just not a good feeling for anyone.”

The decision is in the hands of the Capital School District Board of Education. According to the board president, Kay Dietz-Sass, Dr. Edney was given a two-year contract as co-principal, and a one-year contract as principal. When it came time to renew it again in November of 2014, she says they chose not to.

Dietz-Sass says it’s a personnel matter and commenting further would violate Dr. Edney’s rights. Yet in a press conference Thursday of concerned community residents, they argue, the board already violated her rights.

“If you don’t give a reason that sets you up for legal action,” says Sudler Jr.

“They’re elected by the people and they need to be accountable to the people,” says Reverend Rita Mishoe Paige, social action chair with the IMA of Dover.

The decision for the board to not give a decision is also raising suspicion for the community. Capital School District Superintendent, Michael Thomas, reportedly gave Dr. Edney a “satisfactory” evaluation and recommended that the board renew her contract. Four of the five board members voted against his opinion, according to the public board minutes.

“If he recommends a principal to run a high school in his district, I think he should be should be given great weight,” says Dr. Ray Paylor, a former board member.

Dietz-Sass says they take everything into consideration when making a decision.

Until some residents know exactly what that is, they say they will continue to fight not only for Dr. Edney, but other administrators who could face the same treatment.

“This is not a minority versus non-minority issue, this is a human rights issue,” says Sudler Jr. “What’s going to happen to the next person that comes in?”

Dr. Edney said she would not comment about whether or not she is taking legal action. In a statement to 47 ABC, she says, “I am truly humbled by the support of the Kent County community. It means so much to me that they care about Dover High School and the education of the students.”