Marlboro County High School Principal Dr. Jamane Watson admitted to being “blindsided” with the news that his contract would not be renewed for the 2022-23 school year.

“I did not expect any of this,” he said. “I was kind of blindsided. I knew there were some areas that needed to be improved on. I thought I had more time to improve upon those areas that needed to be addressed.”

Watson met with Interim Superintendent Donald Andrews and three other district officials on Feb. 11 and was told that he would not be back as a principal at Marlboro County High School for the 2022-23 school year.

“I asked why, and they said they were moving into another direction,” said Watson, who is in his second year as principal at the school.

Watson was not offered a teaching contract or a demotion to an assistant principal.

He was told that he could apply for any of the vacancies on the district website or those that become available in the future.

His administrative staff met with district officials on Monday and were told that the new principal should have an opportunity to choose his own administrative team.

“They were offered teaching positions and could reapply for their current position,” Watson said. “I wasn’t afforded that opportunity.”

Since the news broke, there were two student walkouts on Tuesday.

Watson knew about the first protest but didn’t know about the one at later Tuesday. I was sending an email when I was called on the radio and informed that there was a second protest.

He said students have their first amendment right. “It was peaceful and in front of the school. I was there watching. I gave a speech and asked them to go back to class. I asked them to return to class.”

That afternoon, the second one I had no idea about. It was a larger crowd. The senior class president addressed the group. I addressed the group and then I asked them to go back to class. We have a great student body here at MCHS.

Andrews, in an emailed statement, said the administration did not terminate any Marlboro High School administrators.

“Any information contrary to that fact is not accurate and not supported by the administration,” he said in the statement. “As plans are being considered for the 2022-23 school year, staffing positions, among other things, may be considered as the district experiences change and growth as we move forward together. Again, our top priority is our students, their families, and our employees. I look forward to addressing our community at an appropriate time and encourage our students to contact my office directly with any comments, ideas, or concerns, as I maintain an open-door policy for everyone.”

Board of Education Chairman Jackie Branch also issued an email statement.

In it, he said the Board wanted the public to know that terminations of certified staff, including administrators, must be upheld by the Board in accordance with state law.

“Rest assured that the Board has not voted on any administrator terminations at this time and would only do so if presented such an option by the Interim Superintendent as he carries out the daily operations,” Branch said in the statement. “As with any change and growth, we all experience new ideas and visions, and the Board is committed to moving forward in a positive direction. We look forward to engaging in dialogue with our administration and the public as we plan for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year and beyond.”

When asked about his next steps, Watson emphasized that he is from Marlboro County.

He attended MCHS and graduated in 1996.

“I am not going to delegate my duties,” Watson said. “I am not going to be delinquent in my duties. I am going to do what I need to do to support these kids until the end of the school year.”

He noted there were still graduation, prom and other activities happening at the school.

“I am going to be actively involved. If you see me, you wouldn’t think that this would be my last year here,” Watson said. “I am not going to change who I am.”

After receiving the news on Friday, Watson said he came right back to school Monday morning because he knew there was a job to do.

The position of principal for Marlboro County High School has been posted on the Marlboro County School District website since Monday.