Newly hired principal quits over ‘extensive’ social media bullying, Texas district says
A woman recently hired to be the new principal of a Texas elementary school has abruptly resigned after she was allegedly bullied online, district officials say.
Sharon Pe Benito, who was announced Nov. 7 as the new principal of Harvard Elementary School in Houston, is now “no longer willing to serve” in the role, according to a Nov. 12 statement from Houston Independent School District.
“After extensive bullying on social media, she determined this job was no longer in her personal or professional best interest,” the statement read. “In her stead, Dr. Stefanie Spencer will be appointed as the interim principal of Harvard Elementary for the rest of this academic year.”
The Houston Chronicle reported Pe Benito was hired without input from the community.
Her hiring was, at the time, the culmination of a tumultuous period at the elementary school. Two administrators, assistant principal Dr. Alejandra Perez and magnet coordinator Daisha Huntley, were escorted from the campus with their belongings Nov. 7, the same day Pe Benito was hired, KPRC reported.
The school’s previous principal, Dr. Shelby Calabrese, was put on leave in October while being investigated by the school district, according to KTRK.
The reasons for the investigation were unclear, but the district announced a month later Calabrese was “recommended for termination, and the details of why will not be disclosed as this information is protected by law,” KPRC reported.
Though the school district said bullying toward Pe Benito led to her resignation, others say that is not the case.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. Were there questions about her experience and background, most certainly. However, Harvard parents do not ‘bully,’” Juvie Cruz Cardenas said in a Facebook post. “The Harvard community is comprised of extremely invested and active parents that have, in my experience, always been professional and coordinated in our efforts. In fact, Harvard ES warmly welcomed Ms. Pe Benito and was eager to regain some stability on campus after 30 days of disruption and upheaval.”
This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Newly hired principal quits over ‘extensive’ social media bullying, Texas district says."