A Tacoma middle school principal convicted nearly three weeks ago in the rape of an adult will resign as of today, but he has yet to lose his teaching credentials and will be able to keep the $48,000 he was paid while on administrative leave.
The Tacoma School District received Harold Wright Jr.’s letter of resignation Monday, district spokeswoman Leanna Albrecht said Tuesday.
Wright and another man, Richy Carter, were convicted July 12 of third-degree rape in the sexual assault of a woman, who was 19 at the time. The victim, now 23, attended Spanaway Lake High School while Wright worked there as an assistant principal before he joined Tacoma’s staff in 2000.
Wright’s letter wasn’t a surprise since he had earlier indicated to the district he would resign. But since he hadn’t submitted his resignation the Monday after his July 12 rape conviction, the district had begun the process to fire him, Albrecht said.
Now that it’s received the letter, the district will accept his resignation, which effectively ends the termination process, Albrecht said.
But the district won’t be able to recoup the $48,068 it paid Wright while he was on administrative leave from Feb. 9, Albrecht said. That’s because Wright had a contract with the district, which the law considers a property right that can’t be taken away until he receives notice of possible discharge, gets the chance to present his side and the district follows other procedures, Albrecht said.
The district also filed a separate complaint against Wright with the state Office of Professional Practices, which could result in revocation of his teaching and administrative credentials.
While state law calls for immediate revocation of a teaching certificate for certain crimes involving children, there’s no automatic revocation for other crimes involving adults.
Wright, now 36, and Carter, 33, were accused of sexually assaulting the woman at the town house of a friend after meeting her and two of her friends at a Puyallup bar in January 2004.
Carter testified he had consensual sex with the woman. Wright maintained his innocence throughout the trial and testified that he had no sexual contact with the victim.
In his July 30 resignation letter, Wright states he appreciates the Tacoma district’s continued support as “I am enduring this difficult and unjust process.”
“I have been unjustly found guilty as an accomplice of a crime that I did not and would not commit. I maintain my innocence, and we will appeal the verdict .
“Please convey to the students, parents and staff of the Baker community that I care for them, and I will continue to do whatever I can to seek justice.”
Wright is slated to be sentenced Aug. 31. He faces a standard range of six to 12 months in jail. He also must register as a sex offender.
Wright posted $10,000 bail and is free pending sentencing.
Debby Abe: 253-597-8694
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