Rally For Bennett Jones Expected To Draw 1200 People
Members of the Clayton Town Council and Mayor Jody McLeod went on record Monday night adopting a resolution in support of former Clayton High School Principal Dr. Bennett Jones. Jones, a popular principal at the school, was suddenly removed from his position and transferred to the Central Office on Aug 12th. His transfer came during an investigation into allegations of grade fixing at the school. School officials have not commented about the ongoing investigation.
The Resolution, which was adopted unanimously, said “The Town of Clayton has never experience a more positive and collaborative relationship with Clayton High School than that with Principal Jones and… under the leadership of Bennett Jones, strong and meaningful partnerships were built with many of our town departments to include the Clayton Fire Department, Clayton Police Department, Clayton Public Information Office and Clayton Electric Department.”
The resolution also stated, “The Clayton Town Council wishes to express concern regarding the impact to our community with the removal of Bennett Jones as Clayton High Principal.”
The resolution was signed by Mayor McLeod.
Clayton Town Councilman Jason Thompson told JoCoReport, “The Council wanted to make sure the Board of Education is fully aware of our concerns. Dr. Jones has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Clayton High School and the Town of Clayton and we feel his loss is a significant blow to that relationship. We have never had in our lifetime a relationship forged that strong between the high school and Town.”
1,200 People Expected To Protest Thursday In Town Square
Supporters of Principal Jones have filed an application to protest in the Clayton Town Square this Thursday evening from 6:30pm-8:30pm. The applicant requested to conduct a protest in opposition of the personnel matter affecting Dr. Jones. The application said roughly 1,200 people are expected to attend.
A short time later, the permit for the protest was withdrawn by the applicant. According to a town official, it was over concerns by the applicant involving her employment with Johnston County Schools. It is likely a new application with be submitted by a different applicant to protest Thursday at Town Square at the same time.
