ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An Allentown School District middle school principal was cited for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief regarding a Sept. 13 incident at Bucky Boyle Park.
Harrison-Morton Principal Stephanie Williams was acting erratically and kicked out the window of a police car, according to a Wednesday news release from Allentown Police Department.
Officers responded to the park about 5 p.m. that Saturday for reports of a disturbance, the release said.
Williams was taken to police headquarters, “where she continued to exhibit inexplicable behavior to a degree that officers were concerned about her safety. She was taken to a local area hospital for an evaluation."Allentown Police Department statement
People at a neighborhood event told police that Williams, 39, was “harassing them, yelling at children and acting erratic."
Officers asked Williams several times to leave the park because of her behavior.
They walked her and her child to the parking lot, at which time she became confrontational, refused to leave and was then taken into custody, according to the release.
While officers were looking for family members to watch Williams’ child, she kicked out the back window of a marked police car.
She then was taken to police headquarters, “where she continued to exhibit inexplicable behavior to a degree that officers were concerned about her safety," the release said.
"She was taken to a local area hospital for an evaluation."
Videos of the incident circulated on social media.
'Confidential personnel matter'
Following the incident Allentown School District placed Williams on indefinite administrative leave on Sept.13.
She had only been in her role as Harrison-Morton's principal for a few weeks before the incident.
The situation still was under review as of Wednesday and Williams now is using accrued paid time off, according to a district statement.
"Our focus remains on supporting the students, staff, and families of Harrison-Morton Middle School and ensuring a strong, safe, and successful school year."Allentown School District statement
Arcelius Brickhouse, the district’s executive director of instructional leadership, has been the acting principal at Harrison-Morton during Williams’ absence.
He will continue in that role until further notice.
"As this is a confidential personnel matter, and out of respect for the ongoing legal process, the District is unable to share additional details at this time," a district statement said.
"Our focus remains on supporting the students, staff, and families of Harrison-Morton Middle School and ensuring a strong, safe, and successful school year."
Williams was hired by ASD in July at an annual salary of $140,000.
She came to HMMS with more than 15 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in Philadelphia, according to a district news release.
Before joining ASD, she was the principal of Belmont Charter Middle School in Philadelphia.
Williams is the third leader Harrison-Morton has had in the past year. The two most recent principals were serving in an acting capacity.
