Gresham High Principal Resigns Amid Safety Concerns, Community Tensions
GRESHAM, Ore. — Gresham High School Principal Erika Beddoe Whitlock will step down on Nov. 8, following increasing concerns over safety and community division after a recent on-campus gun incident.
The Gresham-Barlow School District confirmed Whitlock’s resignation Wednesday, thanking her for her three years of service. Superintendent James Hiu expressed the district’s commitment to a smooth transition, saying, “We will work closely with her to ensure the school, and its students, families, and staff, can heal and thrive.”
Whitlock’s decision comes after a 17-year-old student was arrested in September for bringing a loaded gun to school. The handling of the incident faced criticism from students and teachers who felt the campus should have been placed on lockdown. The student, whose identity is undisclosed, was taken into custody, and the case was referred to juvenile court.
In her resignation letter, Whitlock cited the emotional strain from the incident, writing, “The underlying tensions impacting our school cannot be resolved with me as principal.”
This follows a vote of no confidence by students and staff last spring, reflecting ongoing concerns about violence, drug use, and safety at the school. Gresham High will soon begin the search for its fifth principal in a decade as the district reaffirms its commitment to safety protocols.