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Alafia Elementary Principal To Leave Post

By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 9, 2008

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The principal of Alafia Elementary School says she plans to leave her post by next semester, telling the district's superintendent that the division at the school has become "a major distraction."

Parents have complained for months that the leadership of Principal Ellyn Smith has led to high teacher turnover, poor morale and a lack of concern about student safety. Even though the superintendent had assigned the principal a mentor, Smith has requested a transfer.

"This is Mrs. Smith's decision, and she has decided that it is really what is best for the students and staff at Alafia," Superintendent MaryEllen Elia told school board members at their meeting Tuesday. "It has been a major distraction and it has taken valuable time away from Alafia's mission."

Smith wasn't at Tuesday's board meeting, but her husband, Ashley Smith, a retired Hillsborough County principal, handed reporters a written statement saying a vocal minority of parents had branded his wife as "the Devil Incarnate."

"They refuse to work with the principal, superintendent and staff," Ashley Smith said. He said his wife is leaving "because she does not want the students to have to continually suffer through all the emotional stress that they have had to endure from all the harassment and lies."

What's next for Ellyn Smith was unclear, but district spokesman Steve Hegarty said the superintendent has the holiday break to work out a transfer.

Parent Amy Dreyer said she was relieved the principal would be leaving, but added that parents had questions for Elia when the superintendent meets with them next week. Elia had sent a team to review the school after parents called for Smith's ouster at a recent board meeting.

"Tell me why it's taken this route to get something done," Dreyer said.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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