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Parents at Riverwood International Charter School this week were shocked and saddened to learn that their long-time principal Eddie Echols resigned following an audit report that found he mismanaged funds at the school.
The school confirmed the resignation on Sept. 20. Echols became principal of Riverwood in 2002, having started in Fulton County Schools in 1987 as a math teacher at Roswell High School, according to the school’s website. Echols is also noted locally for his singing talent. Prior to coming to Fulton County, he served in music ministry for five years.
An audit released by Fulton County Schools shows multiple instances where auditors questioned financial practices at the school and found that Echols used an American Express credit card not issued by the contracting department to purchase personal items. He also used the card for school purchases, according to the audit. The audit did not specify what purchases Echols made.
The audit report said Echols did reimburse the school for the items he purchased, but also said the auditor couldn’t be certain if all personal items were reimbursed because Echols did not submit a detailed list of what he was reimbursing to the school.
“An investigation has been initiated regarding the allegation of misuse of the American Express card at Riverwood High School by the Office of Employee Relations,” the audit report says.
An attempt to contact Echols at his home was not successful.
The report said Echols met with the Fulton County Schools Chief Financial Officer to confirm the American Express account was closed.
Samantha Evans, executive director of communications for the school system, said the audit found things “were not done according to policy.”
“I wouldn’t say that he stole anything. I would say there was an inappropriate use of … funds,” Evans said. “He mismanaged funds. Was there any loss to the school financially? At this point I don’t see that.”
Dennis Kostulakos, a Fulton school system employee, was named interim principal and will serve in that position during the search for a new principal.
Eric de Groot, a member of the school’s nonprofit foundation, said school officials called an emergency meeting with the booster clubs Sept. 19 to inform them that Echols was resigning and that it had nothing to do with the school foundation or booster clubs.
Lynne Miller, head of the governance board at Riverwood and the parent of a senior there, said she reacted to the news with “surprise and sadness.”
“He’s a very strong leader and always had the best interests of the students and the teachers and the school at heart,” Miller said.
Jennifer Klein, whose three children graduated from Riverwood, called Echols “a great man” and said the oerwheliming sentiment she’s heard from parents about his departure is sadness.
“The school is left at its highest note ever and will coninue to flourish at the high level he left it,” Klein said.
Another Riverwood parent, Kevin Wyckoff, also praised Echols’ leadership.
“I have the utmost appreciation for what Eddie and his entire team have done to restore Riverwood to the top high school in Fulton County and a highly-ranked school nationally and in the state,” Wyckoff said. “My sincere hope is that Superintendent [Robert] Avossa will find a worthy replacement to further Riverwood’s success and … build upon Eddie’s excellent legacy.”
