Ames Middle School Principal Dan Fox has been replaced in the wake of allegations by the public that he promoted a negative culture and environment for people in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Fox was replaced by Ames High School Principal Spence Evans in the interim under the direction of Superintendent Jenny Risner, and many in the community are questioning what prompted the change.

Eric Smidt, director of school, community and media relations for the Ames Community School District, has confirmed that bullying did play a part in their decision.

“I can confirm that [bullying] was one aspect of the concerns that were brought to us,” Smidt said.

A memo from school officials said Evans acting as interim principal for the middle school would be temporary.

“These changes were prompted by an effort to address feedback we received from stakeholders who wanted to see an improved culture at Ames Middle School,” according to the memo. “We will be working on various measures to ensure there is a safe and orderly environment for teaching and learning”

This language allows for many interpretations, but some community members believe that the school’s decision may have been prompted from a petition that was posted to change.org titled “Make Ames Middle School a safer place for its LGBTQIA+ students!” that was directed toward the former principal Dan Fox.

Approximately 150 people have signed the petition that was started two months ago by an anonymous author “SA” who is from Ames. The petition reached 100 signatures two weeks ago, possibly garnering the school’s attention.

In the post, the author states that they are a transgender male, who often still gets labeled as female. The post alleges that homophobic comments are made in the halls and that people are bullied because of their sexuality and gender identification.

“I want this to stop before something serious happens because some of us are self-harming or on the verge of suicide and if that’s what it takes to get your attention, a lot of us won’t hesitate,” the author wrote in the petition. “Please don’t put our lives and safety in danger and make [Ames Middle School] a safer place for not just me and my other LGBTQIA+ peers but girls, older teachers and people of color. We deserve what the [Ames Middle School] mission statement promises. We deserve better.”

In a picture that accompanies the petition online, it shows a figure surrounded by quoted comments including “Where did my daughter go?” and “She used to be so pretty.” Others say “She’s weird” and “Kill yourself.”

Smidt said they are aware of the petition, but said it did not play a role in the superintendent’s decision.

“The District is aware of the petition from change.org,” Smidt said. “I was made aware of it last week, I’m not sure when Superintendent Risner was made aware of it, but I believe recently. That petition itself had no impact on Superintendent Risner’s decision for the leadership change. The content of the petition is concerning for us because all students should feel safe and welcomed at our schools.”

The school district was unable to elaborate on any specific instances or cases that led to the decision to replace Fox as the details include information on school personnel.

Editor’s Note: This article originally stated that Principal Dan Fox had been fired. The article has been updated to reflect that he had been replaced, awaiting further developments. The Daily regrets this error.