Santa Barbara principal placed on leave over rigged student election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 03:00 · Archive

A Santa Barbara elementary school principal admitted to overriding student election results to award her daughter a student government position.

Arielle Curry, principal of Washington Elementary School in Santa Barbara, admitted to overriding the results of two student government races after ballots were counted. One of the positions involved was sixth-grade president, which went to her own daughter instead of the candidate who received the most votes.

Curry was placed on administrative leave on 28 September after the scheme was discovered. In a letter to families, she acknowledged that 'our school's process for selecting student officers lacks transparency and fairness'. She apologized for 'allowing this practice to persist' and pledged to overhaul the election process, writing that she was 'committed to making this right moving forward'.

However, Curry's return to campus on the Friday following her leave did little to ease tensions. Parents and teachers described the school as divided by the controversy, with reports of emotional confrontations, accusations of mistreatment and students and staff experiencing tears and harsh exchanges. The person who initially reported the misconduct had been verbally attacked, according to accounts from a parent and teacher who spoke to the Santa Barbara Independent on condition of anonymity.

How it is being reported

• Brazen elementary school principal admits overruling student council votes so that her own daughter won and became presidentArielle Curry, principal of Washington Elementary School, admitted to overriding the outcome of an election for the president of the sixth grade, lifting her daughter into the position.Daily Mail · 12 Oct, 02:52
• Santa Barbara principal rigged student election so daughter wonSanta Barbara elementary school principal Arielle Curry has been placed on administrative leave as allegations surrounding a student election.New York Post · 11 Oct, 18:47

In this story: Arielle Curry · Washington Elementary School · Santa Barbara

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem