BREAKING NEWS – Xavier Downs Says He's Been 'Recommended for Dismissal'

Embattled principal of Riverbend High School has 10 days to request a hearing from the Board about his proposed dismissal.

Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Xavier Downs, the principal of Riverbend High School currently on administrative leave, told the Advance this evening in response to our text message that he has “received a letter from superintendent Mark Taylor stating that I am being recommended for dismissal. The cause is not stated in the letter.” (He shared the letter at our request, which is reposted at the end of this piece.)

Asked if this means he is “still a principal, on administrative leave, pending the decision of the Board,” Downs responded “That is correct.”

The Advance has reached out to senior leaders in the school system who are not able to confirm or deny because this is a personnel matter.

This is a breaking story, and the Advance will continue to follow up.

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No Comments

  1. Leo B Watkins
    January 24, 2024

    You know when you read a horror story, as a most miserable and wretched creature is nearing his end, finally coming face to face with his crimes, and in his desperation reaches out to destroy whatever is within his grasp?

    Gollum, biting a finger off as he falls in to the abyss, a balrog’s last tentacle pulling a wizard down.

    A mad, make-up caked and bewigged caricature of a man; urging his hate blinded minions to take over a nation’s Capitol. Some stories of fiction, told to scare children or entertain adults. Some, you only wish they were.

    Sometimes they succeed, oft times they do not. Still, I read this, and I am reminded of such tales.

    Is this a final act of a good man being dragged down by the pettiness of another, lesser person?

    One wonders.

    Still, no doubt that Spotsy continues to exist under an ancient Chinese curse.

    The one where they hope that you live in interesting times.

    Interesting indeed, Spotsy. Interesting indeed.

    Stay tuned…..

  2. MWright
    January 24, 2024

    ” (He shared she letter at our request, which is reposted at the end of this piece.) Is this “she” a pronoun thing or a boo boo? Just curious.
    Mike Wright