Albemarle County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas resigned on Thursday, June 11 after being asked to leave his position by the School Board earlier that evening.

Haas’ resignation comes after Hollymead Elementary School social-emotional learning coach Michael Swiney was arrested on June 4 for 11 felony counts related to sex crimes against children during his time at the school. Before being transferred to Hollymead, Swiney worked at Woodbrook Elementary School beginning in 2021.

Hollymead hosted a meeting on Wednesday, June 10 during which Haas, Hollymead principal Joe McCauley, and other county officials including three school board members and the ACPD chief of police answered questions regarding Swiney’s arrest.

During the meeting, many parents criticized Haas for his lack of response to multiple reports of concerns regarding Swiney, with one attendee reprimanding him for failing to take accountability, according to Cville Weekly.

Following Haas’ resignation the School Board will now appoint an interim superintendent, who Board Chair Rebecca Berlin says will be announced in the coming days.