Layton High principal sent to Bountiful school

LAYTON – After being on leave for more than two months, Layton High School principal Paul C. Smith is being reassigned as assistant principal at Bountiful Junior High School.

Smith has been on paid administrative leave since Oct. 12 while Davis School District proceeds with an investigation.

Smith said district officials told him that being placed on leave is standard procedure during a financial audit. He also told the Deseret News he hasn't "done anything wrong."

Layton High's head secretary, Leslie "Cookie" Barker, retired Oct. 12, but district officials won't say whether her retiring that day has anything to do with the school's finances, whether it is connected to the principal being placed on leave or whether her retirement had already been planned.

Smith led Layton High for more than 30 years, during which he was named the state's principal of the year.

The longtime educator said he will be considering his options before school starts back up after the winter break, Jan. 4. For now, he said, he simply hopes to "try to enjoy family and the holiday."

Davis District offices are closed for winter break. No district officials were available for comment Wednesday.

Assistant Principal Muriel Mann has been serving as interim principal at Layton High.

Davis District officials haven't released the name of the new Layton High principal or any details on Bountiful Junior High administration.

During this school year, Davis District also investigated Layton High choir director Joseph Everton, 62, who allegedly had a relationship with a then 17-year-old female student. The girl graduated last spring and married Everton in September.

Everton announced his retirement Dec. 1. District officials said Everton's paid leave is now discontinued, as is the district's investigation.

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