GENEVA COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) — After a community protest, the decision to fire the Samson Middle School principal has been tabled by the Geneva County Board of Education.

As WDHN’s Robert Smith first reported live on WDHN News at 5:00 p.m., the Geneva County BOE sent a letter to Edie Hand, who is in her fifth year as principal at Samson Middle School, saying she would not be retained. Her contract is up for renewal.

Hand says the board gave no real reason as to why her contract would not be renewed, but they claimed she needed to work on her communication skills.

Many of Hand’s staff and students attended the BOE meeting, backing her up and saying she has created a positive learning environment at the school.

Samson schools have seen a constant turnover of principals in at least the past decade. Supporters say Hand has been a welcome, steadying force.

The board went into an executive session, where it made the decision to table the discussion and decision on her employment.

The next Geneva County BOE meeting is scheduled for March 23.

WDHN’s Robert Smith is live at the Geneva County Board of Education and will have a full report on WDHN News at 6:00 p.m.