Briarwood superintendent, principal to leave school, sparking petition - AL.com

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Briarwood Christian School is now looking to fill two top-level vacancies after the superintendent resigned and the high school principal’s contract was not renewed.

Superintendent Stephen Steiner announced his resignation on Jan. 25, after spending four years in that position, according to news reports. He will stay on until June 30.

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According to reporting by the Hoover Sun, Upper School Principal Shawn Brower’s contract was not renewed for the 2022-23 school year. He became principal of the 7th through 12th grade school in 2015. Brower also is the varsity boys’ soccer coach and led the team to a state championship in 2019. He will continue to serve as principal through the end of the current school year.

School and church officials did not return AL.com’s requests for comment.

“Contrary to what came out shortly after the school’s meeting held with Dr. Brower on Tuesday, Jan. 25, he has not been fired nor has he been placed under any ‘gag order,’” Jim Alexander, a pastor involved with the school and Briarwood Presbyterian Church, wrote in an email to parents Saturday, according to reports. “Dr. Brower was informed at the earliest stage possible he would not be offered a contract for the 2022-23 academic year.”

The church, which governs the board that oversees the school, has assembled a transition team to provide leadership during the transition, officials said.

A petition calling for Briarwood Christian School to reinstate Brower had gathered just under 2,200 signatures by Monday afternoon.

People who signed the petition wrote online that they respected Brower’s tenure and leadership and wanted more information about his departure.

Parents and students held a rally in Hoover’s Veterans Park on Sunday in support of reinstating Brower. The Hoover Sun reported parents at the rally said they were frustrated with the lack of transparency around why Brower’s contract was not renewed.

The Upper School enrolls approximately 600 students. Tuition at the school is just under $10,000 a year according to the school’s website.

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Briarwood superintendent, principal to leave school, sparking petition - AL.com
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