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Alafia Principal To Leave Post

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By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: December 10, 2008

TAMPA - The principal at 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. Although the superintendent had assigned 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, a retired principal, handed reporters a 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 school district spokesman Steve Hegarty said Elia has the holiday break to work out a transfer.

Parent Amy Dreyer said she was relieved Smith 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.

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