WAYNESBORO – With the hearings to demote Summitville Elementary Principal Steven Pappas still underway, his supporters have taken to social media to get him reinstated. Pappas has been accused of misconduct and unprofessionalism by the Waynesboro Area School District.
Two hearings have already taken place wherein the school district has called their witnesses and the defense has done their cross examinations. However, Pappas has yet to have his chance to offer his side of events. That will occur at a 5 p.m. public hearing on Jan. 30 at Hooverville Elementary School.
In the meantime, citizens of Waynesboro have started adding their names to a petition created on the website www.change.org. As of 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan.24, the petition had already reached nearly 1,300 signatures, exceeding its 1,000 goal.
Ashley Wilburn, a Waynesboro parent whose daughter attended Summitview Elementary School during the time Pappas has been principal, started the petition after seeing and hearing so many comments about the case.
“So many comments I have seen, whether it has been on the petition, posts on local groups, on the live streams, have been ‘what has he done?’ that warrants demotion,” Wilburn explained.
Many comments have also been posted to the petition in support of Pappas. Parents of students and former co-workers have commented on his positive influence on both his staff and students. To view the petition and comments, readers may go to this link: Petition · Reinstate Mr. Steve Pappas · Change.org.
When asked what will happen once they have reached their initial goal of 1,000 signatures, Wilburn replied, “Our goal is to get as many signatures as possible, not just 1,000.”
She mentioned that the board of directors for the school district already has been notified by change.org that the petition exists, although that has yet to be verified by this reporter. Wilburn has said that the petition will remain open until the conclusion of the hearing and then will be presented to the board of directors.
The petition is not the only call for Pappas’ reinstatement. Several Facebook groups also have created posts and are encouraging the local community to share their voice about the situation. As the school district and Mr. Pappas and his defense team await the next hearing, the story continues to unfold
