Greg Wright is the principal at Prosper High School in Prosper, Texas, and is already a very controversial figure in the state. Why? Well, because he insists on conducting daily Bible readings with students at the school, which would appear to be a violaton of the separation of church and state.
And now Wright is in even hotter water, accused of harassing a whistle-blower teacher who went to the cops when she found out about a fellow teacher sexually assaulting a student.
As part of a lawsuit filed by former Prosper High teacher MariBeth Thomas, Principal Wright severely chastised her for turning to the police after a student confided in her that a teacher had been touching her and making sexual advances. Wright, Thomas alleges, was worried about bad PR for the school, telling her:
“I’m all about the team. I’m all about PR and how this high school looks, and we’re going to take care of this young lady, and we’re going to do it in a confidential manner to protect her, to protect all parties that are involved. That’s why we have an internal police department to take care of these serious situations. You don’t ever go outside the parameters of Prosper ISD police.”
This meeting between the principal and Ms. Thomas, it should be noted, was recorded, making it difficult for Wright to deny his statements.
Thomas says that the teen girl who approached her about the inappropriate actions by a teacher told her that he touched her thighs while insisting that he “liked” her when she was alone with him as part of a tutoring session. The girl said she immediately got up and left the room.
Thomas also alleges in the suit that after being reprimanded by Wright, she received her first bad evaluation and was excluded from meetings. According to her attorney, she also received harassing texts from some of her colleagues.
Prosper ISD assistant superintendent, Michael Goddard says Principal Wright did the correct thing:
“Was it an uncomfortable meeting? Absolutely. Was she reprimanded? No. I think there could have been softer ways to handle it, sure. But the message of making sure we have the correct information before moving forward was important.”
Wright is already engaged in controversy after receiving a letter from the Freedom from Religion Foundation accusing him of reading the Bible to students at the their morning “See You At The Pole” prayer meetings.
He is also planning a Christian “First Priority” club for students that, according to a parental posting on Facebook:
“Will meet twice per month in the auditorium. They will sing, pray, and praise.”
