Two days after felony charges were dropped against Gene T. Jones, Jr. on June 14 in Norfolk General District Court, Roanoke City School Superintendent Rita Bishop introduced Jones to about 50 parents.
Two days later, on Bishop’s recommendation, the school board confirmed Jones as principal of William Fleming High School. Chairman David Carson, Mae Huff, Suzanne Moore and Lori Vaught made the decision unanimous. Todd Putney, Jason Bingham and outgoing school board member Courtney Penn did not attend.
Gene T. Jones, Jr., 50, the Executive Director of Norfolk high schools, lost his job in the division’s downsizing plan. The Norfolk school system was under criticism for being “top heavy” so they combined the director of high schools with the director of middle schools. Both directors had the option to apply for the combined position. It is unclear whether Jones applied but neither director was chosen for the position.
It has been almost a year since Principal Susan Willis left and was eventually fired by the Roanoke City School Board as part of the William Fleming Standards of Learning cheating scandal.
Norfolk had its own SOL scandal. According to accounts in the Virginian-Pilot, the SOL cheating scandal in Norfolk was confined to the middle schools where Cathy Lassiter was director of middle schools. Lassiter and principals were reassigned recently to other positions.
According to court records Jones’ legal troubles began with an April 25 incident at his home. Jones charged Luevetta Bellamy, 39, with misdemeanor assault and battery. Bellamy swore out assault and battery and destruction of personal property charges against Jones three days later. The destruction of personal property was over $1000 and resulted in a class six felony charge. Both Jones and Bellamy dropped charges by mutual agreement. Each paid $75 in court costs on June 14.
Bishop was quizzed on Jones’ legal issues and Norfolk’s SOL scandal. She would only say that Jones was thoroughly vetted and the charges were dismissed. “You are innocent until proven guilty … I don’t think about the past but move forward,” said Bishop.
Thomas Haley, principal of the Phoenix Academy in Lancaster and one of the three other candidates who applied for principal at William Fleming, was named executive director of high schools pending pre-employment screening. Haley fills the position formerly held by Irving Jones, who retired last year. Bishop was recruited from the same division as Haley.
Jones will go through an extensive background check before his start date July 1. Both Haley and Jones will be offered one-year contracts. Jones will receive an annual salary of $111,820. Haley will secure a salary of $104,384 and an annual automobile allowance of $3600. Both Jones and Haley will receive $3000 in moving expenses.
The two other candidates were Archie Freeman, principal of Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Roanoke, and Troy Journigan, principal of Forest Park High School in Clayton County, Georgia.
Jones received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University and his Master of Science from Old Dominion University. He has been pursuing doctoral studies at Virginia Tech and ODU.
In a press release:
“As Executive Director of High Schools, Jones oversaw five high schools, the Career and Technical Center, and Middle College Program. His work to increase enrollment in advanced placement courses led to students receiving more than $25 million in scholarships. The school division’s graduation rate has increased to 74 percent under Jones’ leadership.”
Others position moves announced:
Carlton Bell will move from principal at Hurt Park Elementary to Student Support Specialist at the central administration office
Julia Bush will move from principal at Fairview Elementary School to principal of Hurt Park Elementary.
Ann Kraft will move from Round Hill (Montessori) to Morningside Elementary.
April Plympton moves from Morningside Elementary to Fairview Elementary.
Karen McClung moves from Huff Lane Intermediate to Round Hill.
Assistant Principal Pamela White at Monterey Elementary will become assistant principal at Roanoke Academy for Mathematics and Science.
The only unfilled position is a principal for Highland Park Elementary.
By Valerie Garner [email protected]