Rocky River High principal resigns days before school begins

Rocky River High School principal Kwame Stith resigned days before school starts, according to a message sent to families.

Stith turned in his resignation effective immediately, Kim Schroeder, the learning community superintendent for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Southeast Learning Community, told families in a Friday email. She thanked Stith for his leadership and service while serving at Rocky River High, a school in Mint Hill.

No reason was given for his resignation. CMS’ first day of class is Monday.

Janice Davidson, a retired principal, will become the interim principal.

“I want to assure you that our top priority is to ensure a smooth transition for both students and staff during this period of adjustment,” Schroeder wrote. “Mrs. Davidson is an experienced educator who has served in several interim positions since her retirement from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.”

Stith started at Rocky River High School as an assistant principal in October of 2015 before becoming principal in September of 2021, according to his LinkedIn page. Prior to CMS, Stith worked as a dean of students at Cochrane Collegiate Academy.

Earlier this month, Rocky River High made news when a 33-year-old former English teacher was charged with indecent liberties and sexual activity with a student. Maria Heyliger was an English teacher at Rocky River High beginning Jan. 24, 2022, according to CMS. She resigned this summer.

Mecklenburg County Jail records show Heyliger was charged with two counts each of indecent liberties with a student and sexual activity with a student.

It is unknown if the case is related to Stith’s resignation.