Wake principal was suspended after teacher’s conviction for assaulting students
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Wake principal Stacey Alston reassigned to central office and suspended ten days.
- Former teacher James Rencher convicted Nov 2024 on 12 counts of assaulting students.
- Families filed federal suits against district and staff; lawyer deems suspension weak.
A Wake County principal was punished with the loss of 10 days of pay following an investigation of his handling of abuse allegations against a teacher.
The Wake County school system had announced on Jan. 15 that Stacey Alston would immediately leave his post as principal of East Wake High School in Wendell to take a job in the central office. School district records show that the transfer also came with a two-week suspension without pay that ran Jan. 15-29.
School officials say they can’t discuss the reason for the suspension due to state personnel laws. But the transfer and suspension came after a former East Wake High special-education teacher was convicted on multiple charges of assaulting students with disabilities.
“I recognize this has been a difficult period for the East Wake Magnet High school community,” Superintendent Robert Taylor said in a January message to families about Alston’s departure. “The school system has undertaken a comprehensive review of these concerns, and while many aspects are confidential, I want to assure you that the school system is taking appropriate steps to address issues identified through the review.
“Please know that maintaining the safety and dignity of all students is an essential priority for the school system, and we remain committed to continuous growth and improvement in this area.”
Alston did not respond to an email from The News & Observer requesting comment. Alston’s attorney also did not return an email from The N&O.
Eric Betheil was chosen to replace Alston, who was East Wake High’s principal for nearly 10 years.
Alston is now Wake’s senior administrator for Energy and Physical Plant, receiving an annual salary of $101,081. He previously had been paid $143,300 as East Wake’s principal.
10-day suspension without pay called ‘insufficient’
In June 2024, James Rencher III was charged with 12 counts of assault on an individual with a disability. According to the arrest warrants, Rencher was accused of:
- Placing his arms on a student’s ankles to forcibly make him take steps against his will to walk down the stairs.
- Gripping a student’s head with the palm of his hand and “forcing the victim against his will to look down at his school assignment.”
- Using his hand to “forcibly grab the victim’s shirt jerking him backwards by the neck.”
In November 2024, Rencher was convicted in Wake County court and received a 60-day suspended sentence and 12 months of probation, and was ordered to undergo anger management training.
Soon after the conviction, families of both students Rencher was convicted of assaulting filed federal lawsuits. The lawsuits named multiple defendants, including the Wake County school system, Rencher, Alston and several other district employees.
The lawsuits accuse the defendants of not stopping the abuse despite being repeatedly warned it was happening.
“While I appreciate WCPSS taking disciplinary action against Principal Alston, a 10-day suspension without pay is insufficient to address the abuse that occurred under his supervision,” Neubia Harris, a Raleigh attorney representing the families suing Wake, said in an email Thursday.
“With each new allegation of teacher abuse, it becomes more apparent that the district prefers to delay, deny, and defend rather than address the root of the problem. Teachers are overworked, underpaid, and often punished for speaking out about abuse they witness”.
