Sources: Grosse Pointe South's Diver
fired for porn on his school computer

Updated with district statement at 11 p.m.

Sources say Grosse Pointe South High School Principal Al Diver was fired Friday (May 20) for what they described as the use of his school-issued computer and email account to send and receive pornographic material.

District administrators and their spokesperson did not return multiple calls or emails seeking confirmation or comment. Shortly before 11 p.m., district community relations specialist Rebecca Fannon released this statement:

"In the course of a recent investigation, the district discovered two staff members had committed serious violations of our Technology Acceptable Use policy. No students were involved in any way in these actions. That policy is posted online and all students and staff members have signed an agreement to abide by those standards.The district expects all staff members to lead by example and provide our students a safe and secure learning environment. We have worked diligently to resolve this matter and must move forward with a course of action that is in the best interest of our students." 

Fannon did not elaborate further.

Two other administrators in the district might also face discipline in connection with the investigation, the sources said. At least one computer was turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because neither was authorized to speak on the matter, although they did have direct knowledge of the situation.

The investigation of Diver, left, began after a similar investigation in another district turned up his gpschools.org email address.

Grosse Pointe school board President John Steininger wouldn't comment directly, calling it "an administrative matter," but said, generally speaking, he wouldn't "sugarcoat or mask any violation of policy or laws" by a district employee.

Diver took the top job at South in 2001, and was voted Michigan Principal of the Year in 2008. Under his tenure, the school has maintained its excellent reputation and test scores; South regularly is listed among the top high schools in the country. A brief professional autobiography on his blog, "The Principal's Place," states: "We are blessed with a proud tradition, an excellent staff and terrific kids."

This incident comes two years after the arrest of Robert Bopp, the South boys' hockey coach, on charges of criminal sexual conduct with an underage boy at his Taylor home, as well as possession of child pornography. It was later revealed he had secretly videotaped his Grosse Pointe players in their locker room. Bopp is serving a prison sentence for his crimes.

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