Layfield, IR School District await opinion after termination hearing
The actions of a then-Sussex Central High School principal regarding a video of a student that he shared last year were scrutinized during his termination hearing Thursday.
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Layfield, IR School District await opinion after termination hearing
By This story has been updated.
GEORGETOWN — The actions of a then-Sussex Central High School principal regarding a video of a student that he shared last year were scrutinized during his termination hearing Thursday.
Dr. Bradley Layfield is contesting a notice of intent to terminate that he received from the Indian River School District on Nov. 16, 2023. The letter said he would “remain on administrative leave with pay pending the resolution of the termination proceeding.”
The principal had been suspended since May, after a student’s breast was briefly exposed and seen on surveillance video during a fight, according to the school district.
As reported by multiple school employees during the hearing Thursday, Dr. Layfield showed them the video with no administrative purpose in mind and took a lighthearted view of what was displayed. At least two said they were alarmed by his sharing of the recording.
Additionally, two employees testified that Dr. Layfield approached them and asked that they deny having seen the video, if questioned. One said he had not viewed it to begin with.
Conversely, according to Dr. Layfield’s attorney Thomas Neuberger, in a proposed finding-of-facts package, “The final charges (by the school district) are irrational and do not fit the facts concerning a 13-year experienced administrator and the historic policy, custom and practice of Sussex Central regarding always sharing surveillance videos of school fights which obviously concern security and student discipline.
“Several District witnesses corroborate this policy, custom and practice.”
For more than five hours at CHEER’s Warren & Charles Allen Community Center on Thursday, former Delaware Superior Court Judge William Carpenter, who acted as the hearing’s officer, listened to attorneys Jim McMackin for the district and Mr. Neuberger.
Dr. Layfield opted not to testify.
His lawyer said he expects Mr. Carpenter’s opinion to be available no earlier than Feb. 29, at which point it will be forwarded to the school board for its own review on how to proceed.
Indian River spokesman David Maull said the district does not comment on personnel matters. In addition, Dr. Layfield and Mr. Neuberger would not answer questions following the hearing.
