Will Muir’s Principal Sheryl Orange Stay or Go?

In 2009, students at John Muir High School passed California’s state-mandated Academic Performance Index (API) for the first time after failing five years in a row. The school had witnessed six principals take the reins in only seven years. Many believed that incoming Principal Sheryl Orange would end that cycle.

But now a news report says that PUSD leadership has asked Orange to resign her post as principal effective at the end of the year.

Adam Wolfson, Communications Director for the Pasadena Unified School District, said Thursday he would not comment on the report.

Asked if Orange’s position as principal had been posted on the Ed Join educational job website, Wolfson said that a number of teaching and administrative positions remain at the website because they are “generic” positions and do not reflect on a particular person.

Previously, Orange worked to implement new dress codes and said she believed that students should be accountable for their behavior. However, in April, 2011, fighting between Latino and black students led to a district investigation into racial tensions on the campus.

Problems continued this school year when Muir football coach Ken Howard was accused of assaulting a student during a bag search. Then in January, 2012 the boys’ basketball team had to default on all it wins due to participation of a student who was deemed ineligible to play.

Despite numerous calls to Muir High School, Orange could not be reached for comment.