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ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Parents and students at West Potomac High School in Fairfax County have learned Monday that their principal and one of their assistant principals are currently on leave from their positions at the school.
Alex Case has been the principal of West Potomac High School since December of 2013. Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Terry Dade sent a letter home to parents on Monday saying:
"Dear West Potomac Community:
"We appreciate your patience and support while Principal Alex Case has been out on leave. During this time, the Region 3 team has maintained communication and will continue to provide on-site support to the West Potomac administrative team and staff. Ms. Jessica Statz, assistant principal, has agreed to serve as the principal designee during Mr. Case's absence. She will remain in this role until further notice. We commend the West Potomac staff for their continued focus on high quality instruction and dedication to our students. Thank you for your continued support of West Potomac High School."
A spokesperson for Fairfax County Public Schools also confirmed to FOX 5 that assistant principal Michelle Lyttle is on leave.
At a scheduled PTA meeting Monday evening, a parent asked for more information about what is going on. Fairfax County Executive Principal Grace Taylor was on hand to address the crowd. She said she recognizes parents' frustration, but that this involves a "personnel matter" that the school district is not at liberty to share more about. She also said updates would come as they are available, but did not give a timeline.
FOX 5 has reached out to Case and Lyttle on Monday, but have not received a response.
The last tweet on Case's Twitter account was a retweet reading in part, "You need some rain to see a rainbow."
One West Potomac student said Case is well-liked at their school and she is saddened to hear about his absence.
"I think since he's a younger principal, he's a lot more relatable, which is good for a high school principal," said West Potomac junior student Emma Melvin. "I think he is really involved, he really cares about his students, so I think we really all care for him."
Prior to becoming West Potomac's principal, Case also served as an assistant principal and teacher at the high school. His biography on the school's website says in part:
"Alexander B. Case was appointed principal of West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Virginia in December 2013. He previously served the school community as a social studies teacher, student government sponsor, Advanced Placement (AP) program coordinator, assistant director of student activities, middle and high school administrator, and summer school principal. Mr. Case's Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) career began as yearbook sponsor at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. His administrative career began at Sandburg Middle School before he returned to WPHS as assistant principal in 2010."