WATKINSVILLE - A high school principal placed on administrative leave after he complained in public about funding for his school has been told he will get his job back.

Oconee County Schools Superintendent John Jackson and North Oconee High School principal John Osborne released letters through the district's Web site Wednesday.

They apologized for the controversy that began after a story appeared in the Athens Banner-Herald in which Osborne complained that the county's two high schools have unequal athletic equipment and facilities.

Osborne said at the time that he would not let his school's teams compete against Oconee High School because of the disparities.

Jackson put Osborne on leave and recommended that the school board fire him on grounds of insubordination. That sparked a protest by many parents and students.

Osborne will take a leave of absence that will last no longer than the end of the year, then return to the high school, Jackson said.

"I always knew he was passionate about North Oconee High School; I have come to realize just how passionate he is about his job," Jackson wrote.

Osborne wrote that his actions "set off a firestorm of emotions within both communities that was neither warranted nor healthy. While I truly felt justified, I put Dr. Jackson in a difficult situation."

Osborne said in his statement that the two schools will continue to play each other.