The O’Neal School at a Crossroads
Over the weekend The O’Neal School community was alerted to a security concern: a student had made threats, was subsequently identified, placed under police investigation, and barred from campus. Notably, this communication came directly from the Board of Trustees and not from the then-Head of School, John Elmore, marking a departure from the usual routine and setting the stage for more surprising news.
Effective Monday, March 11, 2024, the Board announced a pivotal change to school leadership with John Elmore’s immediate resignation. This resignation came after discussions with the Board and was accepted “without question.” Within hours, a local newspaper article introduced Brenda Jackson as the new Interim Head of School. While Jackson’s history with O’Neal predates Elmore’s tenure, offering a fresh perspective at a critical time, it’s important to note that her position is temporary and the search for a permanent head of school is underway. Her immediate challenge is to lead the school beyond its current issues towards openness and resolution or risk continuing the existing toxic culture.
Amidst the management transition the Board of Trustees’ handling of the Stefanik family’s assault case highlights significant leadership failures. The Board’s communication with the family began with a phone call from Mr. Stefanik to Board Chair Lynda Acker on June 27, 2023, followed by an in-person meeting with executives on July 19, and a comprehensive written complaint submitted on July 26 detailing the administration’s misconduct. Despite these efforts the Board’s August 8 response effectively dismissed the Stefaniks’ concerns paving the way for continued threats and harassment from John Elmore. Further attempts to secure action, including a legal notice to both John Elmore and Lynda Acker on August 21 and a direct written appeal sent to nearly all board members on November 15 were met with total disregard.
Public outcry fueled by our website launch on January 11, 2024, and subsequent updates, failed to prompt a timely response from the Board. By mid-February, reports surfaced of a Board member attempting to discredit and defame the Stefaniks’ claims suggesting that the assault and the school’s subsequent mishandling were largely fabricated. It wasn’t until March 8, 2024, when the depth of the school’s issues was more publicly revealed that the Board responded to the matters at hand, yet they still did not acknowledge any wrongdoing by the administration. Meanwhile, decisions such as retaining Miryah Walters despite her controversial role in past complaints have raised further questions about the Board’s commitment to real change.
John Elmore’s departure marks a significant turning point but also highlights the major challenges that lie ahead. The school is now tasked with directly confronting its culture of silence and victim shaming. The demands for fundamental changes put forth by the Stefanik family—such as the establishment of a disciplinary review board, the development of clear written policies for handling bullying and harassment, mandatory escalation procedures for punitive measures, and the creation of a safe, retaliation-free environment for voicing complaints—are more critical than ever. Alongside these reforms, rebuilding trust with the faculty, staff, and broader community is crucial for the school’s progress.
As we closely watch how these developments unfold, we urge the community to engage with the new leadership thoughtfully. Questions about student safety, unaddressed complaints, and the school’s direction are vital. Until The O’Neal School’s administration shows a clear change in culture, it remains the collective responsibility of families and faculty to protect and advocate for every student’s well-being.
