More trouble for Brunswick County Schools…

SOUTHPORT — More trouble in the Brunswick County school district.

NewsChannel 3 learned that South Brunswick High School Assistant Principal Lionel Kato has been suspended, with pay.

Assistant Superintendent Terry Chestnutt confirmed Kato has been suspended with pay since December 13. This is the latest in a number of incidents involving county school employees.

Within the next month a hearing is expected to take place in the case Hager vs. Brunswick County Board of Education. The parents of 16-year-old Windy Hager claim administrators didn’t do enough to keep her away from her cross country coach Brent Wuchae.

The two were married in the spring, the day after he resigned.

North Brunswick PE teacher Mike Dumas is suspended with pay after a student claims he hit her.

School board member Ray Gilbert is currently banned from district schools, following a protective order. A school secretary whom he allegedly had an affair with claims he threatened her. Gilbert denies those accusations.

A number of students and parents said Friday they knew Kato had been suspended, but didn’t know why. School officials say since it’s a personnel matter they can’t comment on the reason for the suspension.