© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Petoskey assistant principal resigns following student search complaints

Petoskey High School
Taylor Wizner
/
Interlochen Public Radio
Petoskey High School

An assistant principal at Petoskey High School accused of inappropriately searching female students has resigned.

Several Petoskey High School students told IPR News they’d felt violated when Robert Szukala searched them for vapes.

Petoskey High School principal Deidra Gamble announced Szukala’s resignation in late April.

A few days before, an IPR report outlined student complaints.

In a letter to families, Gamble wrote Szukala had been an outstanding member of the administrative team and wished him well.

“Every day he is present in the hallways, lunchroom, and classrooms to ensure a safe and positive learning environment,” she wrote.

She did not say why he resigned and school officials did not respond to requests on Tuesday.

Over the past year, several female students said school searches for vapes by the assistant principal made them uncomfortable. The students alleged Szukala asked them to turn around and bend over, which is against school policy.

Petoskey High School investigated Szukala three times and found he had followed the school’s guidelines for student searches.

His resignation will take effect at the end of the school year.

Taylor Wizner covers heath, tourism and other news for Interlochen Public Radio.