Crystal Simons, principal at Academy for Social Action on W 129th Street was removed after complaining of threats against her life by assistant principal Candy Jones. (Dan Brinzac)
A Manhattan high school principal and assistant principal face possible firing for carrying on a lesbian fling — while on the job, officials said today.
The forbidden romance between Academy for Social Action Principal Crystal Simmons and assistant principal Candy Jones came to light after Simmons accused her lover of making a death threat when asked to resign for poor performance.
Simmons and Jones “engaged in intimate conduct in the school during school hours,” according to a report conducted by city’s Special Commissioner of Investigation.
The special commissioner referred the matter to the New York District Attorney and the state Education Department for further review.
Jones said that she and Simmons began having a sexual relationship in August 2007, the report said.
Simmons confirmed that, but said she noticed a decline in Jones’ work ethic and began to keep a record of her performance in Nov. 2009.
By June 2010, Simmons asked Jones to resign and then gave her a “U” or “unsatisfactory” rating, according to the report. That same month Simmons filed a complaint with SCI and the NYPD about receiving a death threat from Jones.
Simmons “reported that Assistant Principal Jones had threatened to kill Simmons if Jones received a “U” rating,” the SCI report said.
According to the report, the school’s Community Associate Chante Alexander confirmed that Jones threatened to kill Simmons.
“Jones explained to Alexander that it was easy to purchase a gun down south and that her father had already purchased one for her,” the report said. “Jones also informed Alexander that she had spoken with her sister about caring for her son if something were to happen.”
Simmons’ complaint is what prompted their investigation, according to the report.
Students at the Academy for Social Action said they had no idea the two administrators were having an affair. About 60 of them protested Friday morning for Simmons’ return.
“I don’t why they would remove her for a personal reason,” said Raheim Cruz, a 10th grader from Harlem. “The school doesn’t want to answer any of our questions.”
Cruz said he did not know that Simmons and Jones had an affair during class hours.
“They did a good job of keeping it secret,” he said.