KNOXVILLE, Tenn — The former principal of Hardin Valley Academy is now an assistant principal at Farragut High School.
According to Knox County Schools, Rob Speas ended a months-long term on administrative leave Nov. 6 to work at Farragut.
Speas was put on paid administrative leave in the spring after a contracted custodial employee left open overnight gas valves in March in an HVA science lab. Jay Kostermans told authorities later he was mad over a dispute with his mother.
Employees detected the odorant signaling the presence of natural gas the next morning. The school was evacuated and students eventually were sent home for the day.
Kostermans was fired and also taken into custody.
Some parents questioned Speas' leadership following the incident. The school system put him on paid leave and announced an internal review would be conducted.
Kostermans has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in the incident. His attorney has long argued he needs mental health treatment.
