by Krisha Thapa, Burlington High School Register
Burlington High School Principal Deb Beaupre has been put on paid leave.
Superintendent Thomas Flanagan sent an email October 23 informing the Burlington High School community of the decision.
Beaupre’s leave is connected to her pulling the fire alarm during lunch on Wednesday (10/18) in response to a student altercation.
“I decided to evacuate the building to ensure safety and provide emotional space to students and staff amid a heightened, atypical situation,” Beaupre said in an email to families that went out Friday (10/20).
Under Vermont law, anyone who pulls a fire alarm when there is not fire “…shall be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both.” The incident is still under investigation and Flanagan did not give a timeframe for when it will be resolved.
Beaupre is the 6th Principal BHS has had in the last 7 years.
Assistant Principal Sabrina Westdijk will take over the role of Principal until further notice.
Republished from The Register, the student newspaper for Burlington High School. An interview with Beaupre by Register Editor Connor Byam was published October 3.