Canon-Mac crowd supports principal

CANONSBURG - Hundreds of residents, parents and students attended the Canon-McMillan School Board meeting Monday night, with dozens of them pleading with the board to keep high school Principal David Helinski.

There were so many in attendance that they spilled out of the doors and onto the sidewalks at the district administration building, causing discussion about whether to have a special meeting to hear public comment on another night so everyone could hear everyone else speak. The board decided to hear the public Monday night.

One by one, for nearly two hours, parents and students regaled the board with reasons why Helinski should stay. He cares about students, he respects students and demands they respect him and other adults. He enforces rules like the dress code and no smoking policy. They said he is a strong leader who has gone above and beyond the call of duty for students.

"He's being accused of a lot," said 12th-grader Kacey Jobkar as she stood outside with her friends waiting for the meeting to start. "He's going through a lot. But I've known him since the fourth grade and he's been there for me since the fourth grade."

Find out what happened at the meeting at www.observer-reporter.com.