This morning Dan Durbin submitted his resignation as principal of Beaufort High School effective Friday, February 24.

<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Dan-Durbin-Beaufort-High-School.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5880" title="Dan Durbin, Beaufort High School" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Dan-Durbin-Beaufort-High-School-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" /></a>Normally, the district would not make any other comments regarding this personnel matter.  But with Dr. Durbin’s permission, we can say that earlier this month, the district office received a report that a Beaufort High School teacher was concerned that the principal was changing student grades.  An internal investigation by a district office team was conducted, and based on its preliminary findings, a separate inquiry was conducted by an external team.  Among the findings was that Dr. Durbin had made 200 grade changes affecting 33 students.  When presented with the data, Dr. Durbin took full responsibility for making the grade changes, explained his reasoning behind each incident and offered to resign.

The district can provide more details if Dr. Durbin provides a signed release to that effect.  Without his authorization, the administration will be limited in the topics it can discuss.

In accord with the law, the district will not discuss details of any individual student’s academic record.

Terry Bennett will serve as Interim Principal at Beaufort High School until the search for Dr. Durbin’s replacement has been completed.  Mr. Bennett is an experienced administrator in Beaufort County having previously served as Principal of Lady’s Island Elementary School and Lady’s Island Middle School.  He currently serves as the district’s Director of Grants Management.