A beloved high school vice principal has returned to school after he was initially given a surprising notice to leave.

David Gray, Golden Sierra High School vice principal, was reinstated to his position by the Black Oak Mine Unified School District board during a special meeting Thursday night.

Board member Steve DePue said about 300-plus people filled the audience to listen to three hours of public comment at the special meeting. The meeting’s sole agenda item was a recommendation to remove Gray from his administrative position to a classroom position.

DePue said following public comment, the board met in closed session.

They then returned with a 5-0 vote on an amended motion to immediately reinstate David Gray as assistant principal at Golden Sierra High School.

“Mr. Gray is back at work today,” DePue said Friday.

DePue said he could not comment on the reasons for Gray’s reinstatement. He said he could not speak on behalf of the board, but for himself, he said he was happy with the outcome.

“I was very pleased to see we considered all the comment of the public,” DePue said.

DePue said it was not a board decision to place Gray on paid administrative leave for the remainder of the year.

The decision came from district superintendent Tammy Gabel, who on Feb. 24, reportedly told Gray he could not return to the campus for the remainder of the school year.

Gabel would not comment on the reasons why.

Gray, who has been a part of the school as a teacher and administrator for 10 years, said the news was a surprise.

Immediately following the decision, the small Georgetown and Garden Valley community rallied around Gray. More than 200 students protested his departure on campus, and between 30 and 40 parents gathered on Sunday on “Gray Day” to discuss how they would help Gray.

Gray did not return a Friday afternoon call for comment by press time.

In an earlier statement to the Journal, Gray reiterated his commitment to the school and its community.

“Garden Valley and Georgetown is a tight community,” Gray said. “Those people up there between the forks of the American River are passionate about what happens to their kids. I’ve got to tell you something: I am too.”

The Journal's Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.