Some want convicted DPS principal back in school

DETROIT (WJBK) - The Detroit Public School principal who was on Ellen where he and his school were gifted half a million and later accused of taking bribes and cheating students out of school supplies could get jail time. However, some of his student's parents say he's no villain.

The former principal of Spain Elementary, Ronald Alexander, admitted to accepting bribes and cheating kids out of school supplies. While he took $23,000, he also accepted $500,000 from Ellen Degeneres in the spring.

Just one month later, he admitted to the bribes.

A federal judge is expected to sentence him next month but some say prison isn't what he deserves. Instead, they want him to come back to Spain Elementary.

One of his supporters is Twinkie Clark, a member of the Grammy award winning gospel group - the Clark sisters. She  says Alexander should be back in school.

"He's a praying man. I think that either he was stressed and he decided I don't care," Clark said.

The government recommends jail time between 19 and 24 months. Alexander's Attorney said he should be judged by his lifetime of good work with kids.

The judge will take into consideration the good Spain has done in the school and community but he will also balance it with the bad.

"He needs to be back in school," Clark said. "He's going through this for a reason and probably to help somebody else that's made mistakes too."