INDIAN TRAIL — Principal Kate Earp sent a message to families of students at Poplin Elementary School on Tuesday night, apologizing for “any embarrassment” her arrest on Jan. 3 caused.

Earp was arrested in Asheville on a simple assault charge.

Earp stated: “Good evening parents, this is Principal Earp. I am calling to address information you may have seen in the media yesterday. I apologize for any embarrassment this has caused our school. What I want you to know is that I am still committed to being the principal of Poplin Elementary. I am dedicated to serving our students and staff and leading Poplin as we continue high-quality instruction and keeping our school safe.”

Earp was hired by Union County Public Schools in 2013. She began as a teacher at Benton Heights Elementary where she worked until July of 2014, when she became Assistant Principal at Poplin Elementary. She has been the principal at Poplin since July 2018.