Castle Rock's Rock Ridge Elementary School is without a permanent principal.

The woman hired to replace Amber Sorg resigned from the Douglas County School District.

Sorg, who had resigned and planned to leave in June, was put on administrative leave for alleged misconduct six weeks before her scheduled departure. The district-level decision to put her on leave came in the wake of a parent and student May 16 rally protesting a district-led review of teacher evaluations.

Because of Sorg's abrupt departure, district leaders announced they'd bring in new principal Michelle Colton, an assistant principal at Acres Green Elementary, earlier than originally planned. Colton had accepted the position at Rock Ridge before Sorg was put on leave, but did not step into her new role.

“Michelle Colton has changed her mind and decided against leading Rock Ridge Elementary next year,” DCSD's assistant superintendent of elementary education Ted Knight wrote in a May 23 message to parents. “We will work together to find Rock Ridge's next principal.”

Absent a permanent principal, Rock Ridge assistant principal Julie Roach will head up the school.

Neither Sorg nor Colton could be reached for comment. Colton is no longer employed at Acres Green Elementary.

Rock Ridge teacher evaluations led by Sorg designated the staff “effective” or “highly effective,” prompting a second, district-led evaluation that sparked parent protests.

DCSD officials said a Level 2 review is standard when evaluations don't appear consistent with those of other schools. Teachers' ratings are tied to pay increases.

District leaders acknowledged Sorg's alleged misconduct in a May 19 letter Knight sent to parents. While Knight wrote that DCSD is conducting an investigation into the allegations, he said he could not comment further because it is a personnel matter.