After months of controversy, the Smyrna School District announced Saturday that Superintendent Patrik Williams would be taking a leave of absence, effective immediately. The district’s school board held an emergency meeting Saturday as a result of a sudden matter that could not be delayed to a later date. At the conclusion of the meeting, the district announced that Mr. Williams would be taking a leave of absence, and Assistant Superintendent Deborah Judy would assume duties as interim superintendent.
- Mr. Williams was the best teacher I ever had in high school. He was a role model to me and made a difference in my life. This is a shame. The students, faculty, staff and families should count themselves lucky to have him at the helm. He was promoted because of his talent and hard work! — Christopher Miller
- He is indoctrinating young kids into his liberal agenda. Bye. — A.L. Brunet III
- What was the “liberal agenda”? To read books? — Christine Renee
- Wow, so he is in trouble for doing a good job supporting his staff and students. Good job, Smyrna. — Sarah Foley Unruh
- It’s nice to see cancel culture working on things and people that actually need to be canceled for a change. — Daniel Rogers
- He should have been fired after his comments about Trump supporters. — Stephanie Reed
- (It is possible to) make two changes to the school board on May 10. Maybe that will help Mr. Williams keep his job as superintendent, if he wants to stay superintendent of such a messed-up, biased school district. I normally don’t vote in school board elections; however, if any of these individuals running have the initiative to improve the school district and not their own objectives, that’s the person I would vote for. — Harry ONeal
- If your student isn’t mature enough to read a book, then they shouldn’t be in an Advanced Placement English class. AP means college-level. Adults go to college. — Matthew Hepler
- So sad. He was a wonderful classroom teacher, but it seems to me as he was promoted “through the ranks,” he let it go to his head. Should have stayed a classroom English teacher. — Mandy Lei
- Hasn’t that book been in Advanced Placement reading? I read it in high school. I can’t with the crazy, uneducated, small-minded “patriots.” — Danielle Cobb
- I used to co-teach at that school. I read the article, and I’m surprised that the addition of the book was such a big deal, considering “Of Mice and Men” was on our curriculum reading list. — O Jester
- When a superintendent gets more of a punishment for a book than a warden and governor do when a corrections officer was killed. — Tim Bob
- So, cancel culture is only when progressives are the ones doing it? — Robin Spangenber
