Bittersweet return for a principal

Friday was a special day for kindergartners at General Shanks Elementary School.

It was a special day for their principal too.

As proud families and fidgety kids took part in kindergarten graduation ceremonies in the school's all-purpose room Friday afternoon, Mike Eads watched from the side of the room, waiting for the moment when he would award diplomas.

Behind him was an inspirational poster. Its message: "Dream, believe, act."

"You don't know how much you'll miss something until you're not able to do it," Eads said softly.

Friday marked his first appearance at the school since mid-April when he was placed on administrative leave by Superintendent Tim Long in the wake of allegations that Eads had struck two special education students.

But his return to General Shanks will be short-lived.

Eads has already submitted his retirement resignation as a part of a deal that allowed him to return for Friday's kindergarten event and the last two days of school on Monday and Tuesday.

Long said Thursday he has accepted that resignation. Formal board approval is expected at Monday's meeting of the Jay School Board.

Though Eads was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing after an investigation by Portland police and the Jay County prosecutor's office, he remained on administrative leave while his job status was "under review" by Long. As part of that administrative leave, Eads was not allowed to be on school property.

Eads said his retirement resignation - contingent upon being allowed to return for the end of the school year- was offered as a way of resolving the dispute. Future litigation has not been ruled out, however.

On Friday, wearing an orange short-sleeved shirt and a tie featuring multi-colored scoops of ice cream that's a favorite with the kids, he just seemed glad to be back in his old building, even if it's only for a few days.[[In-content Ad]]