Franklin Co. principal suspended, could lose his job after baseball team incident
The longtime principal of Franklinton High School has been suspended and could be fired after a district investigation into an incident involving the baseball team.
Franklin County Superintendent Rhonda Schuhler has recommended that Russell Holloman be fired from his job as principal of Franklinton High School, according to a statement from the district.
The school board did not take action at its Monday meeting on Holloman’s employment status after being notified that the principal is exercising his due process rights, according to a district spokesperson.
Holloman did not return a voicemail or email from The News & Observer requesting comment.
Holloman has has been Franklinton High’s principal since 2014 and was Franklin County’s Principal of the Year in 2017. Franklinton is about 27 miles north of Raleigh.
School district learns about incident 6 weeks later
Citing the ongoing investigation and student and personnel privacy laws, the district has provided few details of the incident that could cost Holloman his job.
“Please know that the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” the district said in the statement.
According to Franklin County’s statement, district leadership was made aware on April 18 of an incident that took place six weeks earlier on March 4 involving members of the Franklinton High baseball team at an away game. Franklinton lost that day to Nash Central High School in Rocky Mount.
Upon being informed, Franklin County said it promptly notified law enforcement and began an internal investigation. On April 22, Holloman was suspended with pay. On May 7, the superintendent recommended terminating Holloman from his position.
A Rocky Mount Police spokesperson said Monday that the department is aware of the March 4 incident and reached out to the parents of the juvenile victim in the incident. At their request, the spokesperson said no criminal investigation is being conducted at this time.
Principal no longer being paid
Holloman is on inactive status with Franklin County Schools until the school board makes a final determination once due process proceedings have concluded, according to the district.
Holloman is currently inactive in payroll, according to the district.
Keith Lynch, the head coach of Franklinton’s baseball team, did not return an email from The N&O requesting comment. A spokesperson said Lynch is currently employed as a teacher in the district.
Coaching contracts are for one year and Lynch completed the 2024-25 baseball season. The spokesperson said it’s the principal’s responsibility to hire the coaching staff each year.
Database editor David Raynor contributed
This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM.
