Former Mount Vernon principal to seek school board post

Terry Eisenbarth has launched a campaign for the Sept. 13 school board election in Mount Vernon.

The former Washington Elementary School principal resigned from his position Friday, submitting his letter of resignation minutes after school board members went in a closed session to determine his future with the Mount Vernon school district.

Eisenbarth was under investigation for his birthday celebrations, which consisted of tapping student's backsides with a padded hockey stick. At the same time, more than 20 Washington staff members submitted a letter of "no confidence" to board members, stating that Eisenbarth's actions "from August to the present, have created an unstable and hostile work environment."

The 2010-11 school year was Eisenbarth's first with the Mount Vernon district.

A phone call seeking comment from Eisenbarth has not been returned.

Four Mount Vernon at-large seats are available in the upcoming election. As of now, none of the current school board members -- Deb Herrmann, Bob Penn, Ann Stoner and Jeff Walberg -- have said if they plan to run again.

Potential school board candidates must collect 50 signatures in order to be on the ballot. The filing period is July 11 through Aug. 4.

School board members serve 4-year terms.

OTHER COVERAGE:

• Column:
• Column:

OTHER COVERAGE:

• Column: What you said about Mount Vernon principal Terry Eisenbarth
• Column: Mount Vernon principal's resignation isn't the end of the story