Brentwood High School principal placed on leave, investigated by district, superintendent says
John Callan, who has served as the Brentwood High School principal for about eight years, was reassigned to his home pending the ongoing investigation, district Superintendent Richard Loeschner said. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
The principal of Brentwood High School was placed on paid leave Thursday while district officials investigate his "professional conduct," said district Superintendent Richard Loeschner.
Loeschner said John Callan, who has served as the high school principal for about eight years, was reassigned to his home pending the ongoing investigation. Loeschner also said he plans on informing the police about the investigation.
Loeschner declined to specifically identify the reason for investigating Callan, though the superintendent said it does not pertain to academic matters.
"Personal behavior, and professional behavior," Loeschner said.
Callan could not be immediately reached for comment.
During the investigation, Callan will not perform any work related to the school, Loeschner said. He will continue to receive his salary, Loeschner said.
According to data reported to the New York State Teachers Retirement System, the 2020-21 gross pay for John F. Callan Jr. of Brentwood schools was $213,710.
Loeschner said he reassigned the principal Thursday morning, immediately after hearing of the issue.
Kevin Coyne, head of the district's teachers union, said Thursday that he did not know about the investigation and therefore could not comment.
Brentwood High School has a student population of 4,734, and 254 teachers and staff, according to Newsday records.
Craig Schneider is a Long Island native and Stony Brook University alumnus. He joined Newsday as a general assignment reporter in January 2018 after 20 years at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
