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COLCHESTER — Principal Matthew Peel of Bacon Academy has been placed on administrative leave “until further notice,” according to a letter sent to Peel by Interim Superintendent Thomas McDowell in May.
The letter, dated May 26, confirms that Peel was placed on leave after a meeting with McDowell, Director of Human Resources Sharon Ramsey, and Christopher Bennett, the union representative.
McDowell explained in an email to the Colchester Board of Education on May 26 that Dr. Charles Hewes, the current director of teaching and learning, would serve as acting principal.
In an email to CT Examiner, McDowell wrote that he was not able to comment further on the reasons for the administrative leave. He did clarify that the leave was not connected to Peel’s complaint against former superintendent Jeffrey Burt.
A petition signed by parents and former students asking that Peel be reinstated as principal at Bacon has garnered nearly 750 signatures as of Thursday afternoon. Former students from Peel’s time at Griswold High School also signed the petition.
Messages to Board of Education Chair Alexander Oliphant were not returned. Peel did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
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This story has been updated to include information of the petition