I have written over the past week about the tumultuous situation in the Fleming County High School where hundreds of students walked out in protest after a state inspection team said the principal should be removed.

Along the way, I learned that this school’s performance new review is indeed loaded with serious findings, but that the school also has scored high overall in the state’s Unbridled Learning school accountability system, creating a clear conflict of credibility for both the performance review and the accountability system.

Now, the Ledger-Independent provides a new update. Due to public feedback, the Kentucky Department of Education is going to allow the principal of Fleming County High to retain his position for one more year. Under the circumstances, that seems a good choice.

But, a toll is being taken on staff in the school district. Fleming County Schools have been challenged for several years, and the current superintendent has only been in place for two years, inheriting a district in financial shambles with many other problems, as well. A companion performance review for the district indicates that many problems still remain.

Thus, citing health and family issues, at the Fleming County Board of Education meeting this Wednesday, district superintendent Tom Price tendered his resignation.

The audit certainly seems to support a leadership change (though I didn’t see a clear call for the superintendent to go), but I cannot help wondering whether or not Price was expected to accomplish too much, too soon. Now, this troubled school system will be hunting for a new district leader while storm clouds still hover over their high school leader, as well. That won’t allow much time for the new superintendent to get up to speed and then start to offer the high school principal effective assistance as he works through what could be his last year at Fleming County High. I sincerely hope the Kentucky Department of Education recognizes this and gets the principal the extra support he needs. The kids in Fleming County deserve no less.