Barnstable High School Principal Resigns

BARNSTABLE, MA — Barnstable High School Principal Patrick Clark has resigned, according to school officials, following a September suspension that galvanized both supporters and opponents.

In a letter sent to parents over the weekend, Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown said she met with high school staff Friday afternoon "to inform them that Principal Pat Clark had resigned from his position."

Mayo-Brown put Clark on paid administrative leave Sept. 25, a few days before students returned to in-person classes for the first time since the spring shutdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

She never publicly gave a reason for Clark's suspension. At an October public hearing with the school committee, she told residents she cannot legally say the reason for the suspension without Clark's permission. Clark served as Barnstable High School's principal for 10 years, beginning in 2010.

Mayo-Brown said she will share more information on the steps for hiring a new principal after winter vacation. In the meantime, Assistant Superintendent Kristen Harmon will continue in her role as the high school's "administrator" in charge.

Clark's suspension was the topic of two dueling petitions among his supporters and critics. His critics cited the high school's slow start opening school in September as a potential reason for his suspension.

Other Barnstable schools returned to remote classes on Sept. 16, but high school students didn't begin until a week later because of class scheduling and other organizational issues. And even after high school students returned to class, teacher vacancies needed to be filled.

But Clark's supporters argued Clark was left as a scapegoat, and that these reopening issues could also be blamed on Mayo-Brown and other administrative officials.

During an October school committee meeting, dozens of parents and students said Clark always greeted students by name in the morning, cheered them on for their accomplishments and also spent weekends touching up landscaping on school grounds.

"Principal Clark is the heart and soul of our school," Barnstable High School junior Paul Sullivan said in an email that was read during public comment. "Our school is not the same without his energy. I really want him to return soon."