Trout Creek Academy in St. Augustine, Florida, has appointed Dr. Patrick Carmichael as its interim principal as it navigates an ongoing investigation concerning a controversial quote in the school’s yearbook. This development follows the suspension of Principal Katie O’Connell, who is currently on paid administrative leave.
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The incident that led to O’Connell’s suspension stems from the inclusion of a lyric from Fetty Wap’s 2015 hit “Trap Queen” in the yearbook, which was attributed to her. The line in question read, “Everybody hating, we just call them fans though! -Mrs. O’Connell,” and appeared alongside a photograph of the school on the first page of the yearbook. The quote has sparked significant backlash, as it has been deemed inappropriate for a school setting.
Since her suspension on 20 May, O’Connell has firmly denied approving the quote in the final version of the yearbook. She stated that the version she reviewed did not include such lyrics. In an interview with Action News Jax, O’Connell explained, “I approved the yearbook twice on 9 April, as did my assistant principal, [Samantha Sawruk], and that quote in that area was not even in the book.” Following her suspension, O’Connell received correspondence advising her that her potential non-reappointment for the following academic year was under consideration.
The yearbook teacher and the assistant principal have both come to O’Connell’s defence. Sawruk confirmed in an email that the quote was not present during the administrative review of the yearbook. Additionally, the yearbook teacher claimed, “I want it on record that Katherine O’Connell was not aware that quote was going to be used in the 2025-2026 school yearbook.” This teacher suggested that students may have added the quote after the book was approved due to its absence during final proofs.
However, the situation has been complicated by mixed messages. An email reportedly shows the yearbook teacher indicating that O’Connell had seen the quote before distribution, a claim O’Connell disputes vehemently. Her attorney, Jack Webb, has portrayed her as a victim of circumstances that she did not create, asserting that she is being unfairly blamed for the affair.
The fallout from this incident has had a personal impact on O’Connell, who claims to have faced harassment and even threats, one of which she reported to the authorities. She described her professional track record as exemplary, noting a teacher retention rate of 92% and a history of receiving high effectiveness ratings in her role. “There’s no reason to throw away someone’s career or to hurt a family like this,” she said, expressing her desire to continue her career as a principal, albeit not at Trout Creek Academy.
In the meantime, Dr. Carmichael’s appointment aims to provide stability at Trout Creek Academy during this turbulent period. Having served extensively in educational roles, including as principal of Pedro Menendez High School prior to his retirement, Carmichael also holds adjunct professor positions at local universities.
As the investigation unfolds, the future remains uncertain for both Principal O’Connell and the school’s administration. The case has raised questions concerning accountability, oversight, and the implications of social media on school governance, while also reflecting the complexities of managing educational environments in contemporary society. As the school community awaits further developments, it underscores the importance of clear communication and informed decision-making within educational institutions.