BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of teachers and staff members came out to Tuesday night’s Hernando County school board meeting to show support for the longtime principal of Deltona Elementary.

The district removed Debi Shellabarger from her position earlier this month after nearly 15 years at the school. 

Those who know and work with her call it a shocking decision.

Her supporters showed up to the meeting with “SHELLABARGER STRONG” T-shirts.

Nearly a dozen teachers, parents, and community members showed their support while speaking to the board. They provided the board with petitions with more than 600 signatures asking to save Shellabarger’s job.

The district sent a letter to parents and staff earlier this month, stating Shellabarger will not return as principal next school year.

“I’m still trying to figure out what my reaction is, because it’s just shocking,” said Kenny Hill, Deltona Elementary ESE Resource. “She cares about her teachers as much as she cares about her students.”

The school board’s attorney advised members during the meeting not to comment on the situation.

But Shellabarger’s supporters say she was let go because she compensated staff with flex time for working extra hours in a way that may have clashed with district policy.

Speakers told board members Shellabarger didn’t do that with ill intent and that the policy was unclear and recently had to be rewritten.

Those who spoke at the meeting praised Shellabarger’s more than 20 years with the district.

They told the board that since she arrived at Deltona in 2010, she took the ESE-focused school from a “D” to a “B” rating. 

Several called her a fierce advocate for students and said kids are the ones losing out. They asked the district to reconsider the decision.

“As legal said, we can’t really get into it, just know that you are appreciated for being here tonight,” said John Stratton, Hernando School District Superintendent.

The district did not provide further information on Tuesday night.