West High School principal resigns after administrative leave, cites family obligations
Jan 21, 2025, 9:52 PM | Updated: Jan 22, 2025, 12:21 pm
Students walk into West High School in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The principal at West High School resigned from his position Tuesday after he was placed on administrative leave.
Jared Wright said in a Facebook post Tuesday that he has worked in the Salt Lake City School District for 20 years, been the high school’s principal for over four years, and has decided to step down due to “pressing family obligations.”
On Friday, the school district released a statement that said the decision to place the West High principal on leave was “not related” to safety issues, but did not provide further explanation. That same day, students of the school held a walkout, calling for transparency.
West High principal resignation statement
Dear Friends and Family, For the past 20 years I have had the privilege of working in the Salt Lake City School District, at Dilworth Elementary, Clayton Middle, and West High School. Due to some pressing family obligations, I have decided to resign and step down as principal of West High School. I look forward to seeking other opportunities in the field of education when the time is right. I want to thank the Salt Lake City Board of Education for the opportunity to serve in these wonderful communities. When I was a senior at West High I set the goal to become the principal of West. For the past four and a half years that dream has been a reality. It has been my honor to work alongside an amazing faculty and staff, a supportive and compassionate community, and the most incredible students in the state of Utah. The world is and will be a better place because of you. You will always have a place in my heart. Go Panthers! Love, JW
The Salt Lake City School District did not immediately respond to comment on his resignation.
West students walk out over safety issues
In December, faculty and students from West High staged a walkout. They were protesting how the Salt Lake City School District handled violence at the school. Of particular concern was an incident in November when a student was shot in a school parking lot.
But the Salt Lake City School District said Wright’s administrative leave was not related to safety issues at the school.
This is a breaking story. It may be updated.
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