Central MS Principal Placed on Leave

It was announced Thursday that the popular principal of , Shelley Somers, was placed on administrative leave while district officials investigate reports that 15 years ago she surrendered her day-care license amid allegations concerning the care and supervision of children.

School Superintendent Roger Lulow issued a letter to parents on Thursday saying that "At this point, we have made no findings, but rather we are investigating the situation as reported to determine the facts and the response, if any, by the Greenwich Public Schools."

According to a Hartford Courant article on March 27, 1996, "The owner of the former Cornflakes Day Care Center has surrendered her day-care license to the state and agreed not to operate a facility within the state for five years.

"In a settlement released by the state Department of Public Health Tuesday, Shelley Somers agreed to sever all ties with Cornflakes, which she operated for 11 years."

Somers was the owner of the day-care center and faced 8 allegations concerning the care of children, according to newspaper. In Deember 1995, the state was preparing to revoke her license and to hold hearings on the charges that included she left a toddler unsupervised in a parked van for at least 45 minutes.

Somers became Central's principal on Jan. 1, 2010, after serving as assistant principal for Beaufort High School/Head of School of Arts, Communication and Technology in Beaufort, SC. She had worked for Beaufort County Schools for 10 years as teacher and administrator at the secondary level.

Here is Lulow's letter announcing Somers' leave:

October 6, 2011

Dear Central Middle School Parents:

Late yesterday, a local reporter forwarded an article to us from 1996 about Shelley Somers and action taken with regard to her license as a day care provider. 

When the Greenwich Public Schools hired Ms. Somers in 2009, we followed the standard hiring processes, including interviews, site visits, fingerprinting, background and reference checks, etc.  Ms. Somers’ experience and affiliation with the preschool referenced in the article was not shared with or otherwise discovered by the Greenwich Public Schools during the interview and hiring process.

The Greenwich Public Schools take seriously its responsibility to assure that its school leaders are fit for that responsibility.  At this point, we have made no findings, but rather we are investigating the situation as reported to determine the facts and the response, if any, by the Greenwich Public Schools.  During that investigation, Ms. Somers will be on administrative leave without prejudice.  To assure that the instructional programs at Central Middle School are not disrupted in any way, Assistant Principal, Jo Frame will serve as Acting Principal.

This will be a difficult time for Shelley, her family and the entire Central Middle School community. We hope to complete the investigation as quickly as possible and will provide whatever support necessary for Central Middle School during this time.