NORWICH – On top of what has already been an intense week for the Norwich City School District, the district has now taken action to remove Lisa Schuchman from her role as high school principal, effective as of yesterday.

Schuchman’s departure is part of an effort from the school district to make a change in the high school building leadership, according to district Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan. Until long-term plans are finalized, questions and concerns regarding academic programming and student activities should be directed to High School Assistant Principal Kistin Giglio. O’Sullivan said Schuchman “will be fulfilling other district responsibilities,” but did not elaborate.

“The district has to take action, what we consider to be in the best interest of students and the overall best interest of the mission of the school district,” O’Sullivan said Wednesday in a phone interview. “The district looks at all of the factors that go into moving the education program forward. This decision was made based upon a thorough review of those factors,” he said.

This action follows Tuesday night’s board meeting, when a large crowd of concerned parents, teachers and community members voiced their concerns about the growing bullying epidemic within the district. Last week, an incident at the high school ended with one student being transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City after a fight in the high school hallway. Many students and faculty workers alike told the Norwich school board that they don’t feel safe in the building during Tuesday’s meeting.

A special school board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 27 at the Norwich district offices to revisit the issue of school bullying and discuss the issue of the high school principal.