Parents support reinstatement of Broward school principal after transgender athlete investigation – NBC 6 South Florida

Monarch High School in Coconut Creek came into the national spotlight last November when Broward County Public Schools suspended three senior principals after it was discovered that a transgender girl played on the girls’ volleyball team, violating state law.

The Monarch community learned via email Tuesday evening that Principal James Cecil, Assistant Principal Ken May and Athletic Director Dione Hester had been reinstated after a six-month internal school district investigation found they had done nothing wrong.

“I personally think the whole thing was taken out of context. My daughter played volleyball with this student, so we know her personally and I think the whole thing is sad. She shouldn’t have gotten that big. People need to understand how “How this family feels and how the poor girl feels. It’s an absolutely sad situation,” said Nicole Lallance.

According to parents and students, Cecil is extremely popular, and his reinstatement along with the other two administrators was welcome news to parents who wanted her back in office.

“I think they should be, I really do, and I’m glad they’re back,” said mother Lakendra Nealy. “I think their decision was fine.”

“We’re really excited. We think he shouldn’t have gone in the first place. We don’t feel he had anything to do with it. He gets on great with the kids,” Lallance said of Cecil.

“I’m glad they came back. I really missed Mr. Cecil. He was a great principal. I was very disappointed that he left because I know he really didn’t do anything,” said a student who did not want to be named.

The employees were suspended because a state law passed in 2021 bans trans girls from playing girls’ sports in Florida. The transgender girl’s family is suing in federal court, challenging the law.