BHAS Board Cancels Meeting On Suspended HS Principal

empty-school-board
empty-school-board

The fate of suspended Benton Harbor High School Principal Rodger Tripplett remains in limbo. The school board had been scheduled to meet in closed session Friday morning at 11 to discuss where to go after putting him on paid administrative leave on June 20. The “St. Joseph Herald Palladium” has obtained a copy of Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker’s 17-page letter outlining allegations against Tripplett, including sharing and possessing child pornography. Tripplett is accused of possessing a video of a 12 or 13-year-old student engaged in sexual activity and not reporting it to police. Walker’s letter states the suspended principal got the video in order to document its existence and that it was being shared by students. Tripplett’s sister, Sharon James, resigned from her post as the Benton Harbor School Board President on Monday. No reasons have been given for James’ resignation or for the cancellation of Friday’s special meeting by the board.