Suspended McClintock Middle principal is demoted to CMS teacher

Former McClintock Middle School Principal Paul Williams is now classified as a teacher after a two-month suspension arising from an unspecified “situation,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials said Monday.

Williams was suspended with pay on April 6 as CMS launched an investigation, then had his pay cut off May 19 as the investigation continued. Spokeswoman Renee McCoy said he was assigned to a teacher position June 8 and “came off his suspension without pay.”

McCoy said Tuesday that Williams has not been assigned to a school. As a teacher his salary is $55,769, down from the $88,524 he earned as a principal.

CMS is working with McClintock families to select a permanent principal, McCoy said. Ann Nivens, a retired CMS administrator, is acting principal.

Williams led McClintock for four years. The southeast Charlotte school was known throughout CMS for its efforts to attract middle class families back to a high-poverty school and for its strong partnership with Christ Lutheran Church. Williams, who liked to dress as the school’s Mighty Scot mascot and lead cheers at CMS events, was a high-profile figure.

In an April message notifying McClintock families of Williams’ suspension, administrator Tara Sullivan said that “details of the situation are a personnel matter and cannot be shared. However, it is important for you to know that no children are involved in the matter.”

North Carolina law makes most details of employees’ personnel files confidential. Districts are required to disclose disciplinary actions such as suspensions, but the cause becomes public only if the employee is dismissed.

Williams said in April that the investigation stemmed from a complaint by someone on his staff that he “behaved inappropriately” and was “playing favorites.” He later said he would not comment further.

This story was originally published June 13, 2016 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Suspended McClintock Middle principal is demoted to CMS teacher."