West Brunswick principal rescinds resignation

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Brock Ahrens will remain principal at West Brunswick High School after a change of heart today at graduation, according to the school district.

“I took a huge risk for myself, my school, my community, and more importantly I took a huge risk for my family,” Ahrens said.

Everyone stood in the room when Brunswick County Schools Superintendent Dr. Edward Pruden took the podium Saturday morning and offered Ahrens his job back.

“I believe it was a big shocker to everybody,” Ryver Powers said.

Powers had perfect attendance all four years of high school. He says he is glad the principal was able to stand by what he believes.

His proud grandfather, James Rodinson, sitting in the audience, was worried Ahrens was not going to accept his position back.

“I was glad to see him come back,” Rodinson said. “It was a hasty decision I think he made when he did it. I still think he was in the right.”

Friday Ahrens turned in his letter of resignation after a dispute about the attendance policy for graduating students. Ahrens says he never wanted to leave the school.

“They knew it was the right thing to do,” Ahrens said. “They knew it was the right thing to do to support somebody that was going to support students.”

Ahrens says this will start a conversation about the way forward for the schools, and he wants to find a solution.

“An advisory committee would be put together. We will look at our graduation classes in Brunswick County and try to come up with some kind of solution that involves not only academics, but also attendance,” he said.0

He also says he hopes to find a way to acknowledge the students who do have perfect attendance in the future.