Lake Norman Charter Managing Director Resigns

The managing director of Lake Norman Charter School resigned Aug. 16, just one day before classes began. The Huntersville Herald Weekly first reported the resignation of Tim Riemer. The Herald reports that teachers and parents have complained of "oppressive school leadership." Much of that came to a head in the 2010-11 school year, the Herald reports, as Riemer became a lightning rod for criticism. Riemer fired the school's basketball coach after parents of a student complained that their son was bullied in the school gym. Police investigated the complaint and found no grounds for a criminal charge. Shortly afterward, Riemer sent an email to all parents saying the school would not tolerate bullying of students. A Herald article about that email prompted a number of former teachers to write that Riemer was a bully himself and had shown callousness in firing a number of teachers. They also said Riemer had generally intimidated employees and parents alike and created an atmosphere of fear at the school.