LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Darryl Farmer will be duPont Manual High School’s next principal following a vote by Manual's school-based decision making council and JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio’s approval.
Manual’s SBDM council unanimously picked Farmer, principal of Ramsey Middle School, during a meeting Wednesday, according to Jefferson County Public Schools. He was offered the job by Pollio later that evening, the district said.
His first day will be Sept. 10.
Farmer takes over as Manual’s former principal, Jerry Mayes, prepares to challenge his reassignment to graphic arts and printing at the district's materials production office. Farmer worked under Mayes as an assistant principal from 2009 until 2016, when he left to join Ramsey.
Mayes was recorded in October making racially insensitive comments during a meeting with two black students in his office, which drew a reprimand.
A JCPS investigation found other instances in which Mayes made improper remarks toward staff, such as telling them that he had been called a “wigger” growing up, sharing personnel information about others and asking Manual employees whether they would prefer a male or female for a teaching position.
Mayes was demoted July 20, prompting a strongly worded letter from his attorney, Garry Adams, appealing the decision and threatening a civil rights lawsuit if he isn’t reinstated as Manual principal.
Adams said in the latter that Pollio allowed Mayes “to get crucified in the media and at Board Meetings for being a racist” and was pressured by others to fire him.
Copyright 2018 WDRB News. All rights reserved.
