Allentown principal resigns, addresses incident in social media post

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The principal of Harrison-Morton Middle School resigned weeks after being placed on leave following an incident at Buck Boyle Park, the Allentown School District announced Thursday.

Stephanie Williams, 39, submitted her resignation on Wednesday, according to district spokesperson Melissa Reese. The school board is scheduled to formally vote on the resignation at its meeting on October 23.

“We thank Ms. Williams for her leadership and service to the Allentown School District,” Reese said in a statement. “We wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Williams had been on administrative leave — using her paid time off — since Sept. 13, when Allentown police said she acted erratically and harassed people at Buck Boyle Park. She faces two summary non-traffic citations for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

Police said Williams became confrontational after officers escorted her and her child toward a parking lot. She allegedly kicked out the window of a police vehicle before being taken to a station, where officers said her behavior continued. She was later transported to a hospital for an evaluation.

Videos of the encounter circulated widely on social media, showing Williams rolling on the ground and appearing disoriented.

In a social media post on Thursday, Williams attributed her behavior to a “mental health episode” connected to bipolar disorder, and said it was not drug-related.

“It was the result of stress, burnout [and] the unbearable weight of being a leader combined with my lifelong journey of living with bipolar disorder,” she said.

Williams had been appointed principal of Harrison-Morton in July with a $140,000 salary after years as a teacher and administrator in Philadelphia.

“The way that media and social platforms treated me during this time has been deeply painful as a Black woman,” she said. “My vulnerability hasn’t just been questioned, it has been turned into entertainment.”

Arcelius Brickhouse, the district’s executive director of instructional leadership, has been serving as acting principal since Williams was placed on leave. He will remain in the role.

“We are confident in his leadership and the school’s continued commitment to student learning and success,” Reese said.