08/16/2026
A former Ohio high school principal resigned after a dispute involving a student experiencing homelessness.
Nearly two years later, that same student graduated — with the former principal there as his legal guardian.
The story of Rob Burnside and Landerius “DeDe” Hayes is emotional, but the viral version leaves out important details. Burnside was placed on administrative leave during a district investigation and later resigned. The case also raises broader questions about how schools respond when students do not have stable housing, and how federal McKinney-Vento protections may come into play.
This is about more than one principal and one student. It is about whether school systems are prepared to support young people whose lives do not fit neatly into ordinary enrollment paperwork.
Read the full article:
https://newtoeducation.com/view-blog/ohio-principal-resigned-after-helping-a-homeless-student-stay-in-school-two-years-later-he-watched-him-graduate-6a8204adef7c2
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