Principal of a high school in Munhall on leave for allegedly using racial slurs toward students

MUNHALL, Pa. — A local principal is on administrative leave after parents say she used a racial slur against students.

The incident allegedly occurred at Propel Andrew Street High School and involved Principal Jessica Colbert.

Parents are enraged as a result, with one mom so frustrated she wants to remove her children from the district.

“They are supposed to come to school to have somebody there they can talk to and you’re saying the N-word? That’s not nice,” parent Ebony Compton said.

Compton said her son came home from school last Friday and told her that Colbert used the N-word “again.”

“This time I’m glad they are doing something about it because the first time nothing was done and she was still here,” Compton said.

Propel Schools sent a letter to parents on Monday, saying, “Recently some parents and scholars have voiced concerns about an alleged statement made by Propel Andrew Street High School Principal Jess Colbert.”

“An investigation was immediately launched. Principal Colbert will be placed on administrative leave, effective today,” the statement reads.

Propel school officials won’t explain what comment Principal Colbert specifically made because it’s a personnel matter, but said, “We take this matter very seriously.”

Compton says she is concerned overall about school leadership. Earlier this month, a former school security guard for Propel Schools was charged for exposing himself at a local Walmart. He resigned after the incident.

Compton says some of her kids attend the school where he worked.

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