TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The principal of Riley Elementary is out of a job after being investigated for sexual misconduct.
Instead of being terminated, Karwynn Paul chose to resign Monday. Local families have mixed reactions to the claims against Paul.
"I'm so glad [Paul stepped down] because he did something bad. That's really bad, what he did," said Riley Elementary first grader Thomas Igles.
"Every situation isn't the same and it really doesn't bother me," said Igles' grandmother, Esther Hamm. "I wish [Paul] well. I had instances where he had spoken with me. He was decent and talked real nice with me."
The Leon County School district investigated the former principal for about two months, looking into complaints Paul inappropriately interacted with and touched female coworkers.
Leon County Schools released this statement to WTXL ABC 27 Tuesday afternoon:
"Yesterday, Karwynn Paul, former principal at Riley Elementary, submitted his resignation in lieu of termination, effective immediately.
On January 24, 2018, Mr. Paul was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged inappropriate touching and interaction with female employees. Based on the findings of the investigation, Mr. Paul was notified of the District's intent to terminate his employment.
Leon County Schools takes these matters very seriously and has high expectations of all employees."
"After hearing what he got accused of, that's a pretty bad thing," said Jillisa Ramsay. Ramsay says her little sister's friends attend Riley Elementary. "It's been going around a lot. I think it's good he stepped down so they don't have to be harassed anymore."
According to the school district, the alleged inappropriate conduct did not involve students. No other details are being released yet about the allegations against Paul.
According to the Leon County Schools website, Paul is a Tallahassee native who started his teaching career at Riley Elementary in 1997. Paul is a graduate of Florida A&M University.
