Elementary school copes with principal's suicide

LAWRENCEVILLE - Students and teachers at Simonton Elementary School spent Thursday coping with the death of their principal, who killed herself in her office during the night. <br> <br> Gwinnett County Police spokesman Ray Dunlap said 56-year-old Betty Robinson was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at about 2:30 a.m.. <br> <br> Dunlap said, ``It was most definitely ruled a suicide -- no doubt on the part of the medical examiner. No motive was known.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> County schools spokeswoman Slaon Roach said classes began as scheduled Thursday morning. Concerned parents met with assistant principals. <br> <br> Students went to their classes, but much of the time was spent discussing Robinson&#39;s death. Counselors were available for students and teachers. <br> <br> The flag outside the school was lowered to half staff, and all after-school activities were canceled. <br> <br> School officials sent a note to parents about support services and suggestions on talking to their children about death. <br> <br> Robinson was principal of R.D. Head Elementary in Gwinnett County for six years before being named principal when Simonton opened in 1993. She has been with the school district since 1979. <br> <br> Simonton has three assistant principals who will be running the school until a new principal is named. <br> <br> Dunlap said investigators have interviewed Robinson&#39;s husband, who contacted the authorities after his wife did not come home Wednesday.