Rowan County Students Demand Principal's Ouster Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations

Students at Rowan County High School held multiple walkouts and protests demanding the removal of Principal Jordan Mann following allegations that he failed to act on reports of sexual misconduct by former girls soccer coach Andrew Zaheri. Zaheri, now serving a lengthy prison sentence for child pornography and sexual abuse, was accused in court documents of grooming and assaulting a student while Mann and other administrators allegedly ignored repeated complaints. The protests, which included hundreds of students and were accompanied by petitions and public outcry, were sparked by recent civil lawsuit filings naming Mann, Zaheri, and other school officials for negligence. Court documents also revealed inappropriate conduct between Mann and Zaheri, including involvement in vulgar text exchanges. In response to the protests and mounting pressure, Superintendent Michael Rowe announced that Mann had been reassigned to other duties for the remainder of the school year. The situation has highlighted broader concerns about student safety, administrative accountability, and the handling of sexual abuse allegations within the district.