Lang
7/10/19
The termination of West Branch High School principal Shannon Bucknell is on the agenda for Thursday night’s school board meeting.
An agenda released by the West Branch School Distrct on Wednesday includes the item “Consider termination of administrator’s contract” with the note “I recommend that the Board consider termination of the administrator’s contract of Shannon Bucknell”. It is unclear from the agenda who is making the recommendation.
The situation revolves around the investigation into 18-year-old former senior Brady Lukavsky, who pleaded guilty to a 3rd Degree Harassment charge in April. Police say Lukavsky sent nude photos and requests for sex to the cellphone of a 17-year-old student over the course of several months. The girl told Lukavsky to stop, but he continued.
A no-contact order was put in place. Lukavsky and the girl did not share any classes, and Lukavsky’s schedule was adjusted to avoid contact with the girl in the hallways.
Police say other students received similar unsolicited images and messages from Lukavsky, but they refused to press charges.
The police presence at the school during the investigation led to rumors about Bucknell, who was absent from the school for several weeks. Police note Bucknell was never under any criminal investigation.
However, state records uncovered by the Press-Citizen show Bucknell’s administrator license had expired in January. State law does not allow administrators to work without an active license.
Thursday night’s board meeting will begin with a closed session at 5:45pm at the Hoover Elementary library on Oliphant Street.
