By Craig Anderson

GEORGETOWN — By a 7-0 vote Thursday, the Indian River School District Board of Education opted to fire former Sussex Central High School principal Dr. Bradley Layfield in connection with a fight among students captured on surveillance video.

Dr. Layfield was placed on administrative leave with pay following an incident on May 17, 2023 where video was shared with staff members at Sussex Central High, according to later testimony.

Dr. Layfield is being represented by attorneys Tom Neuberger and Stephen Neuberger. Tom Neuberger declined comment Friday beyond a news release.

Asked for comment on the action Friday morning, Indian River School District spokesperson David Maull responded that Dr. Layfield and former Sussex Central High assistant principal Matthew Jones are no longer employed by the district, effective Thursday.

Dr. Layfield had contested a notice of intent to terminate letter he received from the Indian River School District on Nov. 16, 2023.

A termination hearing on Feb. 15 lasting more than five hours was overseen by former Delaware Superior Court Judge William Carpenter. The former judge listened to testimony and submitted his findings to the school board for review.

During the fight, a student’s breast was briefly exposed and seen on surveillance video during a fight, according to the school district.

As reported by multiple school employees during the hearing Thursday, Dr. Layfield showed them the video with no administrative purpose in mind and took a lighthearted view of what was displayed. At least two said they were alarmed by his sharing of the recording.

Additionally, two employees testified that Dr. Layfield approached them and asked that they deny having seen the video, if questioned. One said he had not viewed it to begin with.

Tom Neuberger spoke on Dr. Layfield’s behalf and attorney Jim McMackin represented the school district.

Mr. Neuberger, in a proposed finding-of-facts package said at the time, “The final charges (by the school district) are irrational and do not fit the facts concerning a 13-year experienced administrator and the historic policy, custom and practice of Sussex Central regarding always sharing surveillance videos of school fights which obviously concern security and student discipline. Several district witnesses corroborate this policy, custom and practice.”