Embattled Shawnee Mission principal won’t transfer to other high school, for now
A Shawnee Mission principal has been placed on “modified duty” while an outside investigator looks into allegations against him, leaving an immediate vacancy at Shawnee Mission West.
Paul Colwell, who served as principal of Shawnee Mission Horizons High School for five years, was accused by staff and students of making racist and sexist remarks, bullying and intimidation. After a human resources investigation — which resulted in a substantiated sexual harassment claim — Colwell announced in March he would take on a new role as assistant principal at Shawnee Mission West this upcoming school year.
After Colwell was the subject of a Star story last week, the Shawnee Mission school board appointed an outside investigator to “start fresh” and look into the allegations. The investigator also will examine the district’s process for handling the complaints that employees brought forward.
Late last week, Superintendent Mike Fulton sent a letter to Shawnee Mission West families saying that Colwell has been “placed on modified duty during the course of this investigation.” That means there is an immediate administrative vacancy at West, he wrote.
“In order to ensure we begin the year with a full complement of administrative support at Shawnee Mission West, (Principal Steve Loe) is currently working with other district leaders to secure additional administrative coverage while the investigation proceeds,” Fulton wrote.
He said Loe will share more information once the selection process is complete.
In an email, district spokesman David Smith said principals are not yet “on duty” for this upcoming school year. He said Colwell will “continue to work for the district, and his modified duties will be determined between now and when principals return.”
Meanwhile, a handful of students protested outside of Shawnee Mission West High School on Monday. One protester held a sign that read, “He is toxic for our diverse community.” Another sign read, “Your racism is not for West.”
As of late Monday morning, nearly 1,300 people had signed a Change.org petition called “Fire Paul Colwell.”
Mike Isaacsen, former principal at the alternative high school Fairfax Learning Center in Kansas City, Kansas, is slated to take on the role of principal at Horizons High School this upcoming school year.
