NEW: Claremont Student Rally Small in Size, not in Voice
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Claremont Academy students rally in support of teachers
“I know all the students care about our teachers,” the 16-year-old organizer of the group Students for Better Education (SBE) said.
Santos helped organize a rally outside Claremont Academy after school Thursday. About 10 students showed up (there are approximately 400 students at Claremont) in a show of support for their teachers as part of National Teachers’ Appreciation Week. They were also there to express their frustration and displeasure with School Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone, who has mandated that all teachers at the Level 3 school reapply for their jobs and, if necessary, accept assignment elsewhere in the district. The Education Association of Worcester teachers’ union has fought back against the decision and students are now joining the cause. They say the feel shut out from the decision-making process and are angry that some of the teachers they’ve grown to admire may not return next fall.
They're like family
“Teachers at Claremont are not only teachers,” said 14-year-old Freshman Luis Portillo. “They’re more like our mentors. We rely on them and know they’re going to help us out until the day we graduate. The teachers are like family to us.”
One of those “family” members will definitely not be back at Claremont next year, at least not in the same capacity. Boone has eliminated the position of Vice Principal Shannon Sutton. That move is not sitting well with students.
“She knows us personally,” said Santos. “She’s like not just a teacher or principal, but a friend to all of us.”
Principal Paula Severin did not let a GoLocal reporter into the school to speak with Sutton. Severin said she had no comment on the rally before shutting the front door to the school.
In addition to losing their vice principal and some of their teachers, students will also have to adjust to a new principal. Current University Park Campus School principal Ricci Hall will be replacing Severin, who is departing at the end of this school year. Santos believes Sutton could help ease tensions in the school.
“We all think if she could stay, at least for the transition, she could help make things better, just like Boone wants to,” said Santos.
Excuses given
The student body has not been impressed by Boone’s attempts to reach out to them, Santos said, referring to recent assemblies the superintendent held at Claremont to explain her decisions.
“Boone went around our questions,” Santos said. “She gave us excuses. She had a speech prepared and all it was … She never gave us answers.”
Asked what specific questions she had, Santos said: “Why us? Why now? Why in the middle of MCAS and SAT’s? Why just us and not other struggling schools?”
The city has three Level 4 schools, a category below Claremont.
“She just never gave us anything,” Santos said of Boone’s visit to the school “At one point we asked her why she did this and she said, ‘Because I can.’”
Boone could not be reached for comment after the rally. A spokesperson at her office in the Durkin Administration Building said the superintendent was in a meeting.
“We understand we’re not the best school, or the best students or the best teachers,” Santos said. “This isn’t just a school to us, though. This is where we can come as a family.”
Santos said students understand that teachers aren’t being fired, but “That’s not same for us. Basically, that’s what it is. We will be coming into school and not seeing the same faces.”
Jonzo Diaz, a 10th-grader at Claremont said he was “mad” and does not agree with requiring all teachers to reapply for their jobs.
"Claremont’s a family,” he said.
Petition circulated
Santos said students plan to join teachers and union members at a protest on May 17 at City Hall before the next School Committee meeting. She said about 100 signatures have been collected on both a print and online petition addressed to Boone and the Worcester School Committee, which reads in part: “We are asking you to reconsider your decision and do the right thing. Please do not force any of our teachers to reapply for their jobs and do not eliminate Vice Principal Sutton’s position at Claremont Academy. Let’s work together to better our school and community and help all students at Claremont and in Worcester have the best education.”
School Committee members last month voted 5-2 to authorize Boone to conduct impact bargaining with the teachers’ union. With the exception of one member, Dianna Biancheria, who voted against the move, none have publicly said whether they expected Boone to tell the teachers they must reapply. Mayor and School Committee member Joseph Petty has said he believes the right thing is being done, but that communication should have been better.
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