Volusia County elementary school principal demoted after reports of harassment, intimidation

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia County elementary school principal was removed from his job after teachers, staff and a custodian complained that he created a hostile work environment on campus.

The school district replaced Shantell Adkins as the principal at Ortona Elementary School on Monday after staff members claimed he harassed, intimidated and embarrassed them. The district said Adkins has been demoted to assistant principal and moved to Spruce Creek High School.

That demotion includes a pay cut, the district said.

Parents received a phone message Monday from Dr. Kati Dyer announcing that she’d been named acting principal at the school.

She replaces Adkins, a 26-year veteran of the school district, who was accused in an internal affairs report of making inappropriate comments toward staff and employees.

In the report several women at the school claimed Adkins made comments about their weight, including the school resource office who told investigators Adkins told her "guardians walk around a lot " and that she would lose weight if she walked around more.

Others claim Adkins gave special treatment to a teacher with whom some believed he was having an affair, which he denied.

A school counselor said in the report that she felt she was being attacked, threatened and intimidated by Adkins because he thought she reported him to professional standards.

She said in the complaint that she went to a hospital because of the stress caused by the situation.

Channel 9 reporter Michael Springer is staying on top of the story and in contact with the school district for the latest updates.

Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for updates.

© 2020 Cox Media Group