The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
High school principal resigns
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: April 5, 2007
The resignation of Layne Hunt, currently principal at Ypsilanti High School, has been accepted by Superintendent James Hawkins on behalf of the district. Hunt's tenure with the district has been marked by controversy and division between teachers and students in the school.
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That division was seen Tuesday morning when approximately 120 to 140 students walked out in support of Hunt. The students marched to the district administration building next door to the school, where they were met by district administrators who spoke with them and asked them to peaceably return to their classes. The students then returned to the school, spending several minutes in the auditorium, where Hunt outlined how they could voice their concerns in various public forums.
During the special meeting of the Ypsilanti Board of Education held Monday evening, many people spoke in support of Hunt, who is black, and accused the board of racism.
Teacher Susan Bloom said she and three other teachers who support Hunt had received threatening letters in the school mailboxes. One letter read, "If you align with or protect the unethical racist bully, then (sic) you are helping to destroy this school and this community as he has done to others in the past. You shouldn't be allowed to work in education..."
Several people asked Hawkins to tell them why Hunt was resigning, but he refused.
"I will not discuss in public the personnel matters of the district," he said.
After the meeting, Hawkins said he had met on several occasions with high school faculty and would continue to personally observe the workings of that and the other district schools. He said the division over Hunt at the high school was a personal concern to him.
Justin Thomas, a junior, said the school, "is going down. There are not a lot of people willing to take (Hunt) seriously" as an authority figure. He said he did not know Hunt personally and would not want to "promote him" but did believe "some of the things he does are working out."
In responding to the public outcry, Vice President Amy Doyle said the public knew "only part of the story" and had made their determination without full information. She added that she felt her role as a board member was "to listen to the concerns of parents, students, staff and community members.
"Recently, information came to the board that clearly demonstrated a communication breakdown between the high school and Central Administration. This information leaves no question that there has been no consistency in disciplinary policy...Racial tensions have flared. Safety is a serious concern. Until the safety issue is resolved, it will be impossible to move ahead with any of our educational goals.
A ceremonial and redundant vote was then taken that resulted in a 3-3 tie with Fanta abstaining. The motion failed on a lack of support.
President Floyd Brumfield then explained that Hunt's resignation would stand, based on its acceptance by Hawkins.
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