Bradley Out as Welsh Valley Principal

After just 10 months at the helm of the school, Orathia Bradley was removed from her post as principal of Welsh Valley Middle School effective Tuesday, Lower Merion School District has confirmed.

Bradley will be moved to an administrative role in the school while Chris Hall, formerly the LMSD supervisor of student achievement programs, will assume the responsibilities associated with the office. Bradley will, however, hold the title of principal until the close of the school year.

According to district communications director Doug Young, Bradley was not suspected of wrongdoing or impropriety of any kind, the district simply decided to move in another direction.

"Bottom line, the administration felt this was the best decision for the day-to-day management of the school," Young said, declining to provide further detail on why the decision was made and put into effect just weeks before the close of the school year.

Young added that the district thinks very highly of Bradley and hopes she has a long administrative career in LMSD.

"Not only is she going to be part of the leadership team, but we hope and expect her to continue in that role," Young said. "We believe in Dr. Bradley. She's a person of strong character."

District parents were made aware of the decision Monday, in a letter from superintendent Christopher McGinley.

Young said he couldn't comment on whether Hall, who joined the district in the fall, will continue serving as Welsh Valley's de facto principal beyond the end of this school year.