Henley Middle School Principal LaRuth Ensley has been cleared the assault charges that led to her arrest and the Albemarle County school division’s decision to place her on temporary leave back in July.
While her acquittal is certain, what is less clear is if or when Ensley will be returning to the Crozet middle school.
The acquittal was rendered Monday in a trial overseen by Stacey E. Lee, a judge in Ensley’s home county of Henrico.
"I’m glad it came out the right way, and Ms. Ensley is looking forward to getting back to work," her lawyer Joshua Ellis told The Daily Progress.
Ensley’s return to the helm of Henley is not automatic, though, according to Helen Dunn, spokeswoman for Albemarle County Public Schools.
"She is still on administrative leave," Dunn told The Daily Progress. "And we’re determining our next steps."
Dunn did not provide a timeline or elaborate on the reinstatement process.
Hard feelings remain for the father of the boy at the center of the allegations, who followed Ensley out to the court’s parking lot to scold her following the hourlong trial Monday.
"With her anger and abuse, she is no good for children," he told The Daily Progress. "It is a tragic situation to have someone of her caliber supervise children."
The boy, on the cusp of his teenage years, repeated his allegations to The Daily Progress that Ensley shoved him against a wall, squeezed his genitals and pressed her forearm so firmly against his neck that his breathing was briefly curtailed. To protect the juvenile’s privacy, The Daily Progress has agreed to withhold both his and his father’s names.
Albemarle County Public Schools placed Ensley on leave in July shortly after charges were filed, including a later-dropped count of felony child abuse. A letter from the superintendent to parents steered clear of details beyond noting that the accuser was not one of Ensley’s students.
"As with any legal or personnel issue, we cannot comment on the specifics," Superintendent Matthew Haas wrote in his July 11 letter, "but we are committed to assisting Principal Ensley as she navigates these matters."
Ensley took the helm of Albemarle County’s largest middle school in the summer of 2022, after her predecessor, Beth Costa, was named principal of Monticello High School. Formerly the assistant principal of Falling Creek Middle School in Chesterfield County, Ensley previously led the English department at Armstrong High School in Richmond and is working on a Ph.D.
Wearing a black business dress with gold accents, Ensley appeared composed as she conferred with her parents and her attorney inside the Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courthouse.
Monday’s hearing took place behind closed doors, after the defense opposed The Daily Progress’ motion to keep the proceedings open. The judge ultimately decided to exclude the press after Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Andrew Climo offered no objection.
Ensley’s lawyer expressed frustration with the media coverage, which he claims has unnecessarily sullied the reputation of a veteran educator.
"We have a constitutional presumption of innocence," said Ellis, "and she’s innocent."
Ellis said Ensley would not be providing any comment to the press.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com