Rob Burnside, the principal of Lakota East High School, announced his resignation following an investigation by the Lakota Local School District into allegations of professional misconduct. Burnside, who had served as principal since 2021, faced scrutiny for purportedly allowing a student no longer enrolled in the district to attend classes at the suburban Cincinnati school. The investigation commenced after Burnside was placed on paid administrative leave on November 4 when concerns were raised with district officials.
According to information from Burnside’s personnel file, he was accused of “insubordination” and failing to follow directives from his supervisor. The district also alleged that he willfully violated board policies related to student attendance, potentially exposing the school and district to legal liabilities. Pre-disciplinary hearings centered on the presence of an unnamed student at Lakota East during the 2023-24 school year. The student in question, reportedly homeless and ineligible under residency rules, became a focal point of discussions about the school’s accountability should any incidents arise involving them on campus. These developments have raised questions about the balance between policy adherence and ethical responsibility, particularly when it comes to vulnerable students.
The outpouring of Support for Burnside
Burnside’s resignation has sparked a wave of support from former students and the community, highlighting his impact as an educator and leader. Many rallied behind him, with one former student commenting on The Enquirer’s Instagram post, “Mr. Burnside is hands down the best principal I ever had through schooling at Lakota.” Another alumnus described the criticism against him as a “severe injustice,” praising his dedication and leadership.
In his resignation statement, Burnside expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received, saying, “I am grateful beyond measure for the outpouring of support that I have received and I certainly have a desire to take the lessons from this period in time and to return to become an even better leader in the future.” Burnside’s attorney confirmed that while he has resigned, he will retain his title until January 30 by using a combination of administrative leave, sick leave, and unpaid leave to earn retirement credits.
Lakota East Broader Implications and Federal Mandates
Burnside’s case has reignited discussions about the rights of homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The federal law ensures that students experiencing homelessness are entitled to a free public education and cannot be denied enrollment due to a lack of residency documentation. Records from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce indicate that over 24,000 students in the state faced homelessness during the 2022-23 school year.
However, the Lakota school district has not clarified whether the student involved in the case was officially covered under McKinney-Vento protections. As of last Friday, officials had not provided further details regarding the district’s adherence to the act or the circumstances surrounding the student’s attendance at Lakota East. Burnside’s resignation, while closing one chapter, has left lingering questions about policy enforcement and the obligations of schools to protect and support vulnerable students.
