Anderson School principal suspended with pay

ANDERSON - Anderson School Principal David Peoples has been suspended while school officials conduct an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing, Lauderdale County school officials said Wednesday.

Superintendent Bill Valentine would not comment on the nature of the allegations against Peoples, but confirmed that he had been suspended with pay. Valentine said he is forbidden from discussing details of any personnel issues involving an employee.

"There's no reason to be concerned about the safety of children," Valentine added. "That has not been brought in to question."

Sources told the TimesDaily that Peoples was suspended after money was reported missing from the school. Officials at the school system office were notified of the missing money Tuesday and Valentine promptly suspended Peoples with pay and launched the investigation, according to the sources.

The sources did not know how much money was reported missing.

Efforts to contact Peoples on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Valentine said school board members were told about the suspension Wednesday.

The board meets today, but it is unclear whether the suspension will be discussed. If so, the discussion would be held during an executive session, the superintendent said.

Valentine said the suspension will continue until either he or the school board takes further action.

School system officials say the school board will likely appoint an interim principal to serve at Anderson until the issue is resolved.

Peoples has been principal at Anderson for about 15 years and has nearly 30 years of experience in Lauderdale County schools. He previously taught and served as an assistant football coach at Wilson and Brooks.

Peoples, who played quarterback at Auburn University in the late 1970s, coached and taught at Red Bay, Mount Hope and Marion County before joining Lauderdale County schools.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.