Principal Suspended for Criticizing Islam, Gays and Planned Parenthood Returns to School
A high school principal in Georgia returned to work on Monday after he was suspended in January for issuing Facebook posts that were critical of Muslims, the LGBT movement and the abortion giant Planned Parenthood.
Gary Davison, the principal at Lambert High School, which is about 40 miles north of Atlanta, was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 28 after school district officials scrutinized his personal opinions posted on his Facebook page.
Most of the posts in question were from the fall and summer of 2015. According to the Forsyth Herald, Davison called Islam a violent religion and warned that Georgia should not be accepting Syrian refugees.
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In one post, he shared a picture meme that read 'One nation under God, not Allah." In another post, he supported the call by Gov. Nathan Deal's office to stop taking in Syrian refugees and wrote "Giddy up, Governor!"
Other Facebook posts were critical of gays and lesbians, Caitlin Jenner and America's largest abortion provider.
Davison was allowed to return to school on Monday after he issued a formal apology for the language in his Facebook posts.
"Davison has apologized for his mistakes and is fully committed to regaining the community's trust," Forsyth County Superintendent Jeff Bearden said in a statement. "I firmly believe he has learned from this experience and is committed to ensuring a positive culture and climate for all students that attend Lambert HS."
In a statement dated last Friday, Davison assured that every student, no matter their race or creed, is important to him.
"I have learned a great deal from my mistakes and I am committed to regaining your trust," Davison's statement reads. "Please know that every student at Lambert HS is very important to me. I appreciate all that Mrs. Bibik, the administrative team, teachers and staff have done for the school during my leave of absence. I pledge to each of you to further support the students of Lambert HS."
Davison's post came to light after 2015 alumnus Yassin Watson posted screenshots on social media of Davison's Facebook posts, the school district's director of communications told the Forsyth Herald. The school district was officially notified on Jan. 27.
After Davison was suspended, he issued an initial statement asking for forgiveness.
"I offended many individuals and embarrassed our school," Davison said. "I ask for your forgiveness."
While many Lambert High students and alumni welcomed the suspension, Ruwa Romman, a South Forsyth High School 2011 alumna and Muslim, thought that the school district should not have suspended Davison.
"I would love to sit down and engage in a dialogue where you ask me about this faith that so many misunderstand … and talk about how you can lead this school toward a place of acceptance and real learning," Romman wrote, according to the Forsyth Herald. "I do not think that suspending principals is a constructive way to fix this, and I truly believe that your leadership can really turn this page toward a better chapter, but it has to start with you being truly willing to listen and learn."
