(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A northwest suburban school principal was recently put on administrative leave, and this week, several parents offered their support of him at a school board meeting.
Elgin District U-46 has not said why Centennial Elementary School Principal Matthew Palcer was placed on administrative leave, but many parents don’t like it. One parent told the school board this week that Palcer has led the Bartlett school with compassion and kindness.
“The Centennial community is struggling,” they said. “His absence has left our school short-handed, and the atmosphere surrounding his suspension has impacted the morale and school spirit.”
Parent Carla Wood said one of the issues has been a lack of support from district U-46 officials for some of the challenges faced by Centennial school.
“It does not go unnoticed by the students that there are fire alarms being pulled,” Wood said. “There are soft lockdowns. There are hallways being cleared, and these teachers need their support."
Another parent, Drew Piper, called Palcer the face and mascot of the school.
“His door is always open, and he creates a fun and educational learning environment,” Piper said. “That being said, however, he can be stern, yet fair at the same time. School has not been the same since Matthew Palcer has been placed on administrative leave. I can tell you the students I spoke to, including my own daughter, miss seeing him in the halls.”
Although the school board has not commented on the reason Palcer was placed on administrative leave, one parent said an official told him it was not over anything inappropriate with a student.
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