An elementary school principal in Silver Creek who has been “unavailable and not in the district” has submitted his resignation.

In a message posted to Facebook, the Silver Creek Central School District said Sterling Stearns’ resignation is effective May 18. Members of the school board were expected to act on a letter submitted by Stearns at their April 21 meeting.

Delia Bonenberger has been acting as interim elementary principal with Stearns out of the district. Officials have not specified why Stearns has been unavailable.

In its message, the school district said Stearns’ resignation is “in no way related to any allegations of abuse or mistreatment of children or any allegations contained in a letter received by the Board of Education.”

The school board on March 29 received a letter from Jay Hall, assistant director of elementary programming, who alleged that an “isolation cell” was being used for students in the elementary school.

Hall’s letter prompted an outcry among parents that led to a community meeting. The district said several allegations outlined in Hall’s four-page letter were “utterly false.”

In a statement regarding the allegations, the district in part said, “The District does not now, nor has it ever used an isolation cell, nor has it ever locked a child in a room alone. The District does utilize a de-escalation room. This is a widely accepted method of addressing the needs of children who simply require some time alone in a quiet place to gather their thoughts and composure so that they are able to safely re-join their peers in the classroom. It is by no means intended, nor has it ever been used as a form of punishment or have any negative implications. The New York State Education Department authorizes the use of such rooms in its regulations.

“Upon receipt of the allegations on March 29, 2022, the District suspended the use of the de-escalation room pending a full and complete investigation into the allegations.”

In its message this week, the school district said it appreciates Stearns’ “full cooperation in the ongoing investigation of the allegations set forth in (Hall’s) letter.”