A Decision to Support a Homeless Student Raises Critical Questions About School Policies and the Rights of Unhoused Youth
A well-liked principal at a Cincinnati high school has now resigned after being placed under investigation for extending some compassion to a homeless former student. Principal Robert Burnside had allowed this student to continue to attend classes and eat in the school cafeteria after being withdrawn from the district. Higher-ups disagreed with this decision.
Since the student was technically unenrolled, district administrators worried about the legal liability of allowing him on school grounds should he get hurt there, for example. They had questions about who was paying for his meals in the cafeteria and the location they could consider to be his current residence. They were less worried, apparently, about the student’s education and overall well-being.
Investigation and Resignation: When Doing the Right Thing Breaks the Rules
Burnside was placed on administrative leave for 3 weeks while the investigation into his conduct was underway. During that time, he tendered his resignation, effective January 30th. He will remain on leave until then and will not return to the school.