Everett principal suspended for controversial video

EVERETT, Mass. (WHDH) -- Everett High School’s principal who showed students a controversial video was suspended for two days without pay on Tuesday.

Erick Naumann, Everett High School’s new principal, played a spoof video for students on Jan. 7 when they returned from winter vacation. It was his first day on the job.

The video was a play on “Terminator,” complete with flames, a frightened woman and empty classrooms. The video was supposed to be funny, but many, including the superintendent of schools, were upset.

“This is a lesson for everyone. Everyone makes mistakes,” said Naumann after Monday’s meeting. “I’m glad to see the support and I just hope we can move forward from this as a city and a town…the community we have here, it’s great and hopefully we can move forward.”

Naumann and another teacher made the video as a way to introduce the new principal to the students at Everett High School, but in light of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., parents were shocked to see it.

The Everett school committee met Monday night to decide the fate of the high school’s principal. The superintendent announced Naumann’s suspension on Tuesday morning.

Some parents called the punishment a slap on the wrist; others said the punishment fit the crime.

“It was very fair. I know he realizes he made a mistake. I don’t think he thought nor did anybody else think it was going to be an explosion like it was,” said Michelle Garrity, a parent.

“Personally I think we need to stop taking things so seriously…I think we’ve lost our sense of humor,” said Stephanie Taylor, a parent.

Roy Barrows, a tech teacher, who appears in the video and helped put it together, was also suspended for two days.

Some students are critical of the video.

“I was just horrified. It’s ruining the school’s reputation and its making us look bad as students, the city of Everett look bad,” said Mary Snook, a freshman.

Others said it was a good-natured attempt at humor.

“[The two-day suspension was fair] because the way it was to the public he had to. They had to do something,” said Francis Lyons, a student.