A letter sent to San Diego High School parents and staff detailed major leadership changes taking place at the school -- including the departure of a well-loved principal.
Kirk Ankeney, principal of San Diego High’s School of International Studies was placed on administrative leave earlier this school year. The letter from Superintendent Bill Kowba stated that Ankeney "will no longer be principal of the International Students and Arts Schools."
The letter did not state a reason for the change.
It also stated that another principal, Consuelo Manriquez will be replaced in the coming school year. Manriquez is principal of the School of Business and LEADS.
When the issue was first reported, Jack Brandais, spokesman for the district, could not comment on the reason for Ankeney’s leave, since it is a private personnel matter. In a previous interview, Brandais said Ankeney would be on leave for the rest of the school year, but he later corrected himself and said he could not say for how long Ankeney will be on leave.
Students say Ankeney is a "father figure" and are demanding to know the reason for his leave.
"We have a really tight-knit community," said Sophomore Eric Cramer in a previous article.
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Ankeney's leave was especially hard for the school's seniors, who often came to him for college and career advice, Cramer said.
"He knows each of us by name," Cramer said.
San Diego High School has six schools. Ankeney was the principal of two of those schools -- International Studies and Art.
Ankeney has been a principal at the school since 2009, according to the school’s website. One of his sons attends the International School.
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