The head of a tony Upper West Side private school has been canned by its co-founder over his inappropriate relationship with a former student, sources told The Post.
Christopher Durnford, 39, was suddenly booted as principal of York Prep Academy over winter break after what students described as months of suspicions that he had crossed the line with a female volleyball player. Durnford had been serving as the girls’ team volleyball coach.
“People knew about it last school year,” said one student. “She used to go to his office last year a lot — more than she should.”
While many students said Durnford had been a good principal, several said they also noted behavior they considered inappropriate, such as his patting the butts of girls on the team.
Durnford’s departure was announced last week as part of a New Year’s welcome-back letter to parents from co-founder Ronald Stewart, whose daughter, Jayme, happens to be married to Durnford.
“Mr. Durnford, who had served as school principal, is no longer with us and his duties will be assumed by Ms. Joyce Perley, our Middle School Dean,” reads the Jan. 4 missive.
Tuition at the 40-year-old, sixth-through-12th grade academy averages $35,000.
While students said Durnford and the girl were unusually close while she was still enrolled, a source close to the school said nothing improper happened until the girl had turned 18 and graduated last June.
Stewart dismissed his son-in-law immediately after learning of the improper relationship, the source said.
Durnford did not return a message seeking comment, and the girl’s family declined to speak with reporters.
Stewart also declined comment, but his wife, also named Jayme, told a reporter over the weekend she was having “a very rough time.”
“I’m not having this discussion; it’s Saturday, and we issued a public statement,” she said. “It went out to parents of the students.”
Additional reporting by Vinita Singla, Amber Sutherland and Erin Calabrese