Local News

Embattled charter school headmaster on leave of absence from state board

The former headmaster of a Zebulon charter school surrendered Tuesday on sexual battery charges at the Wake County Magistrate's Office. Two female employees at East Wake Academy have accused Brandon Smith, 57, of Wendell, of inappropriately touching and talking to them.

Posted 2012-08-23T22:27:47+00:00 - Updated 2012-08-23T22:26:00+00:00

A former charter school headmaster facing sexual battery charges has taken a leave of absence from the North Carolina Alliance for Public Charter Schools Board of Directors.

Brandon Smith, who headed up East Wake Academy in Zebulon, was fired in March after two female employees accused him of inappropriately touching them.

He was charged with two counts of sexual battery in May.

In response to questions from WRAL News, Robert Landry, chairman of the board for the Alliance for Public Charter Schools, said Thursday that Smith, who was at the board's meeting Tuesday, voluntarily took a leave of absence, effective immediately.

Landry declined to comment further on the matter.

Smith, who has denied any inappropriate conduct, is also fighting the accusations in a civil lawsuit against his accusers and the charter school.

He served as East Wake Academy's headmaster for a decade.