The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Support voiced for ousted principal
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: April 19, 2007
Ypsilanti Public Schools Superintendent James Hawkins gave a strong statement after listening to public input and board responses at a special meeting Monday, originally called by the Ypsilanti Board of Education to deal with board vacancies.
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Supporters of Layne Hunt, who has resigned as principal of Ypsilanti High School, aired their concerns about what led to Hunt's forced resignation.
Resident Robert Hunter said he believed the resignation was the result of stereotyping and racism. He read a list of questions to the board, then gave the list to Board Secretary Karen Allen.
Flora Brumfield, wife of the board president, said she was angry at what she had seen in the newspapers. She attributed violence in the high school to the ending of alternative education programs, which she wants restored.
Resident Lorenzo Odum said he thought the situation was being treated too cavalierly. He added the district is "falling short of doing right by the children."
Another resident, E. L. Weathers, detailed his reason why he believed Hunt "still works for the district" and suggested an attorney be consulted.
More speakers reiterated similar statements in support of Hunt. They expressed anger at his resignation and being placed on administrative leave. Others expressed more concern over a lack of information that allowed rumors to propagate and brought division.
Martha Taylor, a former president of the Ypsilanti Board of Education, said, "We are only hearing the good things Dr. Hunt has done. We don't know what you know, so you have to be more forthcoming. Because the public has not heard what prompted Dr. Hawkins to make his decision. That needs to come out."
Taylor said she understood that personnel laws precluded Hawkins from speaking publicly about the matter, but added, "We only see (Hunt's) positive side. You have to explain more to dispel the rumors."
Others accused teachers of having complained to the students and having told the students to complain to their parents. Trustee Andrew Fanta, a lawyer, was singled out for allegedly representing a student of the district who was accused of bringing a baseball bat to school grounds with the intent of participating in a fight.
At the end of the public input, Fanta responded by saying he never had and never would represent a student of the district who might come before the board for disciplinary reasons. His client, accused of bringing the baseball bat on the high school campus, is not a student in the district.
Newly elected Vice President Tom Reiber read a clause in the standard Michigan Education Association contract that states a teacher shall not degrade the district or school for which he or she works. He then declared he would work for the dismissal of any teacher who had violated the contract.
Reiber also mentioned threatening letters that were sent to certain teachers and staff at the high school who were known Hunt supporters. He said the letters had been fingerprinted and police were awaiting results.
Trustee Linda Horne said she listened to "every single comment" during input. Horne, who is one of the trustees named in a recall petition filed with Washtenaw County, said she is aware that community members have conspired to get members off the board.
"When I ran for office, students were number one in my heart and I wanted to see their needs addressed," she said. "They are still number one in my heart. This is a good district and it takes everyone working together to keep it that way.
"I do not do underhanded things. I work with the community and trust the teachers, administrators and my fellow board members. Our students are looking at us. We must set a good example."
Brumfield said, "We have done some things not the way we should have. I love this district and I want two qualified people to help us move forward." He then added he supports Reiber's statement of terminating teachers who spoke to students about the high school's problems.
Hawkins, speaking at the end, began by telling the audience of his deliberations on what he could say.
"I am accountable for all the actions I take as superintendent. I have lived 23 years in this district. I have spent 43 years in public education. I worked my way up and I am in a position of leadership.
"Through it all, my decisions have been based on one question - What do I think is best for the children? I don't have a problem when the decision is made on that basis.
"The buck stops with me. I am responsible for everything in this district. The board only has one employee; everyone else works for me.
"I tell my principals it's okay to make mistakes. Just don't make the same mistake twice. I tell my principals to take responsibility, build a team. If you don't have a team, nothing else matters."
Hawkins said it didn't matter if you were the tallest, best center in the National Basketball Association.
"If you don't have a team you're not going to win.
"I give my principals tremendous autonomy. I try to run the district as a team. But, if I decide there is no team, I must decide: What's best for the children? That's the basis for every decision. That's my focus.
"The recent challenges at the high school are not a fair representation of what we are. The high school is not unsafe. We have tremendous leadership. But, we have challenges, yes.
"There have been a lot of innuendoes and rumors that I was pressured to fire Dr. Hunt. I make my own decisions. No one made me do it. No one can be blamed but me. We have to be a team to succeed."
Hawkins said he had once fired a close friend for not being able to hold a team together. "I won't demean Dr. Hunt, but we didn't have a team.
"We all make mistakes. No one did anything sinister. I am held accountable. I did what I thought was best for this district. This community has been good to me and I've tried to help the community.
"I'm 67 years old and I started teaching when I was 23 years old. I always have and I will continue to engage for the betterment of children."
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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