The power-hungry principal of a Santa Barbara elementary school manipulated a student council election to make her own daughter president of the student body.
Arielle Curry, principal of Washington Elementary School, was placed on administrative leave for nearly two weeks after she admitted to overriding the outcome of an election for the president of the sixth grade, lifting her daughter into the position.
In a letter to families, Curry wrote that in the election, ‘the runner-up candidates were selected instead of the candidates who received the most votes. This resulted in my own child being appointed president.’
Curry made the admission after a witness reported the fraud to the district, a parent told Edhat. She later apologized for ‘the disruption it caused within our school community.’
But the power play has sparked tangible turmoil in the school’s day-to-day life.
‘She blames this on a flawed process, but she is the flawed process,’ the parent told Edhat, calling the move a ‘very stupid choice.’
The parent further said the situation ‘makes the school as a whole look ridiculous and is harming the culture and environment of the school.’
Curry was placed on administrative leave in late September but did not face further consequences as the school already announced her return.
Arielle Curry manipulated the outcome of her school’s election for the president of the sixth grade – to lift her own daughter into the position
A witness reported Curry’s fraud to the school district. Around two weeks after being placed on administrative leave, the principal returned to work
The school’s community has been divided over the principal’s action, with one parent calling the move a ‘very stupid choice’
‘We recognize that the past weeks have brought uncertainty and concern to the Washington school community,’ a letter from the district stated.
The letter further said that the principal ‘can lead this work with the school community and continue to provide an exceptional experience for students, families, and staff at Washington Elementary.’
In her own statement, Curry wrote that she wants to take responsibility for her actions and that ‘students and families directly affected by the election will receive appropriate communication and support as that work is completed.’
‘Our children benefit most when the adults around them model professionalism, respect, good judgment, accountability, and the ability to work through difficult situations constructively.’
The parent who talked to Edhat was not happy with Curry’s letter: ‘This is really shitty. In the letter, she doesn’t fully own what she did. She decided to enact this. She made a choice to do this.’
The parent still said that Curry was generally a good principal and praised her ‘great relationships with a lot of the kids.’
Before her current job, Curry worked as the principal of Santa Barbara Junior High.
