Hunter
06/15/22
An Iowa City High School assistant principal has resigned and will be reassigned after allowing students into the school after hours to execute a senior prank that turned into vandalism.
The Gazette reports that the Iowa City Community School Board accepted Scott Jespersen ‘s resignation earlier this week. Principal John Bacon shared the news with parents Wednesday in an email.
City High parents told The Gazette last month Jespersen let some students into the building late May 22 to hang balloons and streamers, but other students came in and damaged the building by spray painting walls, pouring syrup on items and cutting up photos, among other actions.
The school district would not comment to The Gazette, saying it was a personnel matter. A spokesperson declined to answer questions on the damages, why the school didn’t file a police report, or if the students have been or will be disciplined.
Police responded to a call for service around 4 am on the 23rd, saying there were several subjects in the City High parking lot, some laying down. They talked to school employees, who hadn’t approached the subjects and were trying to assess damage to the property.
Jespersen was placed on leave following the incident. A petition with over 630 parent and student signatures was posted online. A senior at the school said on the petition that some students destroyed school property instead of doing the original prank, taking advantage of Jespersen’s generosity, and he is wrongfully suffering the consequences.
About $2900 has been raised on a GoFundMe account to pay for the damages.
Principal Bacon said in his email that Jespersen will be teaching at West High in the fall. City High Athletic Director Phil Hansen will become assistant principal, as will Gerry Coleman, the dean of students.