Editor’s note: This story was first published by the Valley News on Friday, April 6, 2018.
[R]ANDOLPH — The Orange Southwest School Board voted unanimously at a special meeting earlier this week to terminate Randolph Union High School Co-Principal David Barnett’s employment.
The decision followed a March 13 news release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Investigations Unit citing Barnett into court on accusations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a former student.
Orange Southwest Superintendent Layne Millington confirmed Barnett’s firing in an email on Friday.
In a message to the school district community on Thursday, Millington said: “The Orange Southwest School Board after a lengthy independent investigation and considerable deliberation, voted in open session on recommendation of the superintendent to terminate David Barnett’s employment with the district pursuant to the execution of a termination agreement.”
He continued: “Because this is a personnel matter, further details at this point are confidential. This decision is consistent with the best interests of the district, its students and staff.”
The board discussed the subject in executive session at the meeting on Tuesday and then emerged for the 7-0 vote, according to the minutes.
Barnett, 50, of Waitsfield, has not been formally charged, and a court case doesn’t yet exist.
Police have cited him on a felony-level sexual exploitation of a minor offense, a charge that can arise if the person is at least four years older than the minor and is in a position of power, authority or supervision over the minor.
Barnett, through his attorney, Brooks McArthur, has denied any wrongdoing.
Barnett is due in Orange Superior Court in Chelsea on April 25.
