District 233 Board to Hold Public Meeting on H-F Principal's Ousting

FLOSSMOOR, IL — The Homewood-Flossmoor District 233 Board of Education will call a special meeting to hear from community members regarding the firing of Homewood-Flossmoor High School Principal Dr. Ryan Pitcock.

The meeting will be scheduled within the next two weeks, according to Director of Public Relations and Human Resources Jodi Bryant, as reported by the H-F Chronicle.

The community was enraged Wednesday following the board's decision to buy out the remainder of Pitcock's contract. Pitcock, 43, spent 8 years in his role, and his accomplishments included a nomination for the 2015 Golden Apple Stanley C. Golder Leadership Award.

Administration did not disclose a reason for the move, but stated in the email that the board believes it "acted in the best interest of the students, parents/guardians, staff and the Homewood-Flossmoor community by taking action at this time."

Personnel decisions are "confidential in nature," the board said in an email alert to parents. Community members have questioned if the board's decision had to do with Pitcock's call to ban senior Taiylar Ball from prom.

Bryant told the Chronicle that relieving Pitcock of his duties was "totally unrelated" to that incident.

Following the board's decision, member David Mayer resigned his seat. He declined to comment on why.