Chalmette High School appoints acting leadership in light of principal’s attack

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

ST. BERNARD PARISH, La. ( WGNO ) — Chalmette High School has new leadership as its current principal takes medical leave following a June attack.

Leaders with the St. Bernard Parish Public School System announced that veteran educator and high school administrator Will Schneider has been named acting principal.

Schneider is a CHS 2003 graduate who also served the school as Mr. Chalmette, the school’s highest honor. Also during his time at CHS, officials said he was an honor student, gifted performer and athlete who went on to earn two degrees from Loyola University and Columbia University.

After graduation, he said his love of teaching brought him back to CHS.

“I knew this was my calling to give back to his school and community that raised me,” said Schneider.

School leaders said this will be the first time in 57 years that Wayne Warner will not be there to welcome the new students.

On June 25, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2900 block of Palmetto Street where Warner was reportedly injured during a fight.

Warner told deputies that he was driving down Palmetto when he noticed a man, Christopher Kidd, knocking over trashcans and a mailbox.

Police said Warner got out of his car to ask Kidd if he needed help when he allegedly became angry and pushed Warner to the ground. Kidd also took Warner’s cell phone and threw it into bushes.

Kidd was booked into the St. Bernard Parish Prison on charges of second-degree robbery, simple battery of the infirm, theft, simple assault, shoplifting, resisting a police officer with force or violence and battery on a police officer.

The incident left Warner with a broken hip and “severely broken elbow” and in need of several surgeries.

“Although this transition is not how I envisioned it, I am deeply honored and humbled to serve as  Acting Principal. With the help and support of the administrative team and teachers and with the love and guidance of my beautiful wife and children, I promise to do everything in my power to continue the Warner Way,” said Schneider.

The first day of school for Chalmette High School is Thursday, Aug. 8.

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