Principal Rob Burnside Resigns After Helping Homeless Student Stay in School

Rob Burnside, the longtime principal of Lakota East High School in Ohio, resigned in November 2024 after district officials investigated him for allowing a homeless former student to keep attending classes and eating in the cafeteria.

What Happened

The student, Landerius “DeDe” Hayes, had attended Lakota schools since seventh grade. In October 2024, during his junior year, the district ordered him to withdraw because he no longer had a valid address within district boundaries and was experiencing homelessness. Administrators instructed staff to turn him away.

Burnside, who had served as principal since 2021, continued to support Hayes. He allowed the teenager to stay on campus, attend classes, and receive meals despite the unenrollment order. District leaders later charged him with insubordination, willfully violating student attendance and residency policies, and placing the district in a potentially liable position.

Officials placed Burnside on administrative leave in early November 2024. After a pre-disciplinary hearing, he submitted his resignation later that month. The school board accepted it. Burnside cited personal reasons and a desire to avoid further division in the community.

Aftermath and Guardianship

Following his departure from Lakota East, Burnside and his wife took further steps to help Hayes. They became his legal guardians. Hayes later transferred to another district, graduated, and has lived with the Burnside family.

Burnside has said he cared about the student and wanted to provide stability during a difficult time. Supporters praised his compassion, while the district maintained that he failed to follow established policies.

The case highlighted tensions between strict residency rules and efforts to support students facing housing instability. Burnside’s decision ended his career in the Lakota district but led to a lasting personal connection with the young man he refused to turn away.

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