New details are emerging in the case of a Waterbury elementary school principal placed on leave following a student trip to China.
Principal Kevin Brennan was placed on paid administrative leave days after returning from the school trip in April. School officials said he went to China with 10 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and several adult chaperones.
Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Ouellette said Tuesday that Brennan took a female student to Taiwan after the rest of the group returned home. The school district was not aware of the side trip at the time.
The Waterbury Republican-American reports that Brennan was helping the student find her maternal relatives in Taiwan and that her father approved the trip. Parents told the newspaper the student had planned to stay with family there.
Parents told NBC Connecticut the news of Brennan's suspension came as a surprise.
"It was pretty much of a shock to me only because I've known him for so long and he's a great principal," said parent Diane Crespo. "When it comes to being the principal of the school, he's been absolutely phenomenal. He's been very, very involved with the children, with the parents, and always made us feel very, very welcome at the school."
Ouellette said the investigation is ongoing but that the district is not at the liberty to release any other details at this point.
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Neither Brennan nor his union could be reached for comment at the time he was placed on leave. Supervising vice principal Karen Renna has been appointed to lead the school in his absence.
