Published: 12/4/2017 1:29:48 PM
Modified: 12/5/2017 12:11:42 AM
South Royalton — South Royalton School Principal Dean Stearns resigned his position, effective immediately, over the weekend.
The Royalton School Board received and accepted the letter of resignation from Stearns at a meeting on Sunday evening, according to a Monday letter to parents from White River Valley Supervisory Union Superintendent Bruce Labs.
Stearns, 55, last week pleaded not guilty to charges of promoting a sexual recording and voyeurism after police said he secretly recorded a teenage girl who was staying in his Sharon home.
Earlier this fall, Stearns had announced plans to resign at the end of this school year.
When the charges were announced last week, he was placed on administrative leave from the pre-K through 12 school.
Labs said the School Board has asked the school superintendent to be on-site at the school as “lead administrator” until an interim principal can be hired for the rest of the year.
The School Board also released a statement, saying of Stearns’ resignation: “This definitive step enables us to begin the process of healing.
“As not only Board members, but members of the South Royalton Community we recognize that this matter has resonated with and impacted the school community in a profound manner. ... Our community has faced challenges before but we must not lose sight of what is important.
“South Royalton School will continue to focus on the successful education and development of each student.”