Home / Education / Principal Adopts Homeless Student, Loses Job
Principal Adopts Homeless Student, Loses Job
27 Aug
Summary
- Principal opened his home to a homeless student.
- He lost his job for violating school district policy.
- The principal later legally adopted the student.
In 2024, principal Rob Burnside of Lakota East High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, faced a difficult choice when student Landerius Hayes became homeless. Hayes's living situation made him ineligible to attend school in the district. Burnside, learning of Hayes's plight, defied district policy by taking Hayes into his own home to allow him to finish school.
This act of compassion led to Burnside being given an ultimatum: resign or be terminated. He chose to leave his position. Burnside and his wife, Angel, later became Hayes's legal guardians, allowing him to return to school and graduate in May 2026. Hayes is now pursuing a career as an aviation mechanic.
Burnside, who now works in compliance management and has seven children, including Hayes, has no regrets. However, he has been unable to secure another education job in Ohio. He acknowledges his communication with the district could have been better but maintains his actions were driven by care for the student.
