Dunbar principal’s leave again extended. Here’s the latest information we know

An attorney for Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Principal Marlon Ball said Monday that Ball’s administrative leave was extended another 20 days.

Attorney Dale Golden told the Herald-Leader, “We’re eager for things to move forward.” The extension went into effect January 20.

Fayette schools spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall in a statement on Monday said, “There has been no resolution to this ongoing investigation and we do not comment on personnel matters.”

As of Monday, the Dunbar staff directory on the school district website listed Andrea Tinsley as acting principal. Tinsley’s transfer from associate principal to interim principal was effective November 3, according to a personnel change report included in Monday’s school board meeting agenda.

On November 2, Ball was placed on administrative leave while Fayette County Schools investigated an allegation of inappropriate conduct, according to a letter from Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins to Ball.

The letter did not provide details about the alleged inappropriate conduct. The Herald-Leader obtained the letter through an Open Records Request.

Without elaboration, Ball’s leave was initially announced in a district statement mourning the death of the school’s athletic director Jason Howell.

The cause of Howell’s death is being investigated as a suicide, Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn has said.

Ball’s leave was previously extended by 20 days on December 8.

The only glimpses into the nature of the situation have come in interviews with people associated with the school.

Dunbar teacher Sharessa Bentley-Crovo, also a member of Dunbar’s school council, previously said, “We’ve all struggled under Mr. Ball’s leadership, and after losing a beloved colleague, we can’t stay quiet.“

Two parents on the school council, Melissa Rife and Brian Nurick, also previously released a message saying, “As Parent Representatives of the PLD SBDM Council, we look forward to the District completing their investigation. We also look forward to sharing additional information regarding certain public comments made, when appropriate.”

The president of the Lexington-Fayette branch of the NAACP in a previous statement said the group is concerned about potential “mishandling” of the suspension. In the statement, President Whit Whitaker said “there appears to be procedural mishandling, action, and treatment of the (Paul Laurence Dunbar High School) principal who was recently placed on administrative leave.”