Longtime Blue Ridge High principal retiring amid growing petition against her
Greenville County School's longest-tenured high school principal has announced that she will retire after 16 years in that position.
Reena Watson informed the district last week that she is planning to finish this year at the school as her last year, Greenville County Schools spokesperson Tim Waller said in an email.
Watson has worked with Greenville County Schools for 27 years. She did not respond to emails seeking comment and could not be reached by phone.
The district's announcement of her retirement comes after a change.org petition seeking to "Remove Mrs. Watson from Blue Ridge High School" was posted in March. The petition had 781 signatures Friday. The petition's goal is 1,000.
The petition was started by Jason Barrett, who didn't respond to a Facebook request for an interview.
Latest: Blue Ridge High School principal speaks out about petition, pending departure
Barrett said on the change.org petition that "it has become quite apparent over the years (that) Mrs. Watson is not fit to be the principal at Blue Ridge High School or any other school.
"She continues as she has over the years to let children run rampant and more and more assaults continue to happen under her authority," Barrett said in the petition. "It has become a serious concern to the parents of students at Blue Ridge and she needs to be replaced effectively immediately."
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The petition included allegations posted by people who identified themselves as a current student, former students and parents. Petitioners alleged such things as biases and unfair punishment, and a need for change.
One post speculated that Watson, who is Black, was being targeted because of her race.
Watson's position was among the administrative job openings posted on April 1 on the school district's website.
In regards to the online petition, Waller said, "Greenville County Schools does not make decisions regarding employment for a principal or any other employee based on unsubstantiated statements made in an online forum.
"Any potential issues would have to be reported to the district so they can be properly investigated," he said.
Waller said he is not aware of a Greenville County Schools investigation regarding Watson.
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The Greenville News has filed Freedom of Information requests for emails and complaints with Greenville County Schools.
Waller said Greenville County Schools appreciates Watson's dedication to the Blue Ridge community and Greenville County Schools over the past 27 years, "and we of course wish her all of the best in her next steps."
Watson has been with Greenville County Schools since 1994, teaching at both Berea Middle and Riverside High. She served for four years as assistant principal at Blue Ridge High before being named principal.
During her tenure at Blue Ridge High School, academic progress has been made, and Boys Basketball won the State Championship for the first time, Waller said.
Located north of Greer, between SC Highways 101 and 14, Blue Ridge High has a student enrollment of 1,055 for the 2021-2022 school year. Its student ethnicity was listed as 90% Caucasian, 4% Hispanic, 3% African American and 3% other based on the school's 2018-2023 school renewal plan.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Blue Ridge community petition seeks high school principal's firing
