Strict Inglewood High Principal Reassigned : Schools: Backers say he drove out gang activity. Critics say he was too harsh.

Lawrence Freeman, the Inglewood High School principal whose brash leadership style and strict disciplinary measures drew criticism from teachers and students alike, will be replaced next year and reassigned elsewhere, district officials announced Friday.

The reassignment comes less than two weeks after fighting broke out between black and Latino students, forcing Freeman to dismiss classes early and prompting complaints that he was unfairly tough with black students.

District officials said the brawling was one of a number of factors that led to Freeman’s transfer.

Freeman, 67, enforced strict disciplinary and dress codes during his six years at the school, and his supporters maintained that he was largely responsible for ridding the campus of gang activity and establishing high expectations for students.

His detractors, however, called him “Screamin’ Freeman” and said he had been unduly tough on students and teachers. During his tenure he had been picketed, sued and found guilty of unfair labor practices in his treatment of the faculty.

“I think he brought order and discipline to that school,” said school board President Larry Aubry. “But there are many people that say that the price was just too high.”

The Inglewood school board decided to transfer Freeman during executive session Wednesday night but did not make the move public until Friday. During the meeting, numerous parents and students strongly criticized his leadership style.

Norma Smith, president of the Inglewood PTA-Council, said the brawling that broke out between black and Latino students at Inglewood High earlier this month may have been the last straw for Freeman. Black students said afterward that they were frustrated by Freeman’s favoritism toward Latinos.

“In view of all the uprising that has occurred at the school (transferring him) may be the best decision,” Smith said. “He has done a lot of good but people say he’s done a lot of harm.”

Teachers, many of whom have been Freeman’s fiercest critics, received notices in their mailboxes Friday morning saying that Freeman would not be returning to the school in the fall.

While some regretted losing a strong disciplinarian who kept the students in line, others were jubilant.

“This is like liberation,” said Moori Schiesel-Manning, an English teacher at Inglewood High. “Most people at the school are really happy. It’s like a pall has lifted.”

Freeman, who will be offered another position in the Inglewood Unified School District, declined to comment on the move.

He has been on sick leave since May 1, the day of the student fighting.