Bolingbrook HS principal accepts administrative leave

BOLINGBROOK – Bolingbrook High School Principal Michael White has been placed on administrative leave, ending his tenure as principal a few months earlier than expected.

On Jan. 17, Valley View School District announced that White had resigned, initially stating that the resignation was to take effect at the end of the school year. However, White made the decision to leave early following a meeting last week with Valley View School District Human Relations, according to Valley View Board President Steve Quigley.

District officials would not confirm what prompted White’s early departure. Bolingbrook students were off on Monday due to the sanctioned President’s Day holiday. On Tuesday, Romeoville High School Assistant Principal Yolanda Jordan took over as interim principal at BHS. She will remain in charge for the rest of the school year.

When White resigned, he said he could no longer fulfill his duties to the best of his abilities.

“I felt I had reached the limits of what I could do at Bolingbrook High School,” White said during a Jan. 27 Valley View Board of Education meeting.

“So, I submitted my resignation after many, many, many conversations. Don’t think this was just a one-time deal. I decided it was time for me to move on as a result of the fact I couldn’t get senior leadership to make some decisions that would help me do my job.”

In spite of an overwhelming public outcry back the former principal and a “Support Mr. White!” group that generated 1,200 signatures from students, parent and teachers, the Valley View Board upheld White’s resignation with a 5-2 vote.

The board has yet to address a search process for the next principal. When hired, he or she will be the fifth principal to lead Bolingbrook High School in five years, including Jordan’s interim tenure.