Three days after the Warren County Board of Education failed to renew the contract of Warren County High School (WCHS) Principal Carolyn Faucette, more than 60 teachers, parents, students, alumni and others gathered outside the school system's central administrative office in Warrenton demanding answers about why the contract was not renewed.
The gathering was in response to action during the board's May 24 business meeting/work session as a motion to extend Faucette's contract for another year failed for lack of a second.
WCHS Band Director Taylor Whitehead, acting as spokesman for teachers and others supporting Faucette, said that the people who marched to the central administrative office on May 27 included people of all ages, races and several schools.
"I have a letter requesting a meeting with the board of education," he said.
The letter indicates that many members of the WCHS faculty and staff were "shocked" when they found out that the contract had not been renewed.
"Our school has been transformed under her leadership, and we are proud of the education and environment that we provide to our students," the letter, signed by a group calling itself Concerned Members of the Warren County High School Faculty and Staff, states.
The document expresses concern that not renewing Faucette's contract will "have a negative impact" on current and future students.
In its letter, the group requests a meeting between the board of education and WCHS faculty and staff to learn why Faucette's contract was not renewed and address board concerns about her leadership.
Whitehead delivered the letter to Pat Draffin, school system community schools director and public information officer.
"I will make sure that it gets into the hands of the board," he said. "They (the group) made a great effort to get it to the board."
Back outside, Whitehead told the group to continue to contact board members.
"There is a common belief in the community that everyone hates Mrs. Faucette," he said. "If we don't move fast enough, we will be meeting a new principal."
As Whitehead was speaking, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ray Spain came out of the office to address the group, telling them how they can arrange to speak to the board at its next meeting on June 14.
"Mrs. Faucette has done a fantastic job at WCHS," Spain said. "Even her detractors admit she has done a great job."
He said that June 14 will also be the next time the board will have an opportunity to take action on Faucette's contract.
"I appreciate so many folks showing up for your principal," Spain said. "I would say this about any principal."
After Spain went back inside, Whitehead said that not every teacher at WCHS supported the efforts to keep Faucette as principal.
Victoria Lehman, WCHS visual arts teacher, said that Faucette demonstrates an "undenying devotion" to WCHS students.
"She is very secure in what is right," Lehman said. "That's why we had to come to her defense."
Michael Perry, WCHS masonry teacher, said that two "of the roughest" students did not like Faucette at first, but grew to respect her the more they learned about her.
"WCHS needs Ms. Faucette," he said.
The next step for the group is waiting to hear back from the board of education.
"Time is not on our side," Lehman said. "It is the end of the year."
Whitehead said that the group plans to attend the June 14 board meeting.
At the May 24 meeting, board member Al Cooper made a motion to accept the recommendation to extend Faucette's contract for one year. It is this motion that died for lack of a second.
Cooper did not wish to comment on the personnel matter itself, but said that he believed a decision should have been made during the meeting.
"I felt like after discussion, it should have been put to vote," he said. "I did not mind making the motion."
After learning about the board's lack of action, Faucette said she wanted another year to continue progress at WCHS.
"I deeply regret their (the board's) decision," she said. "One more year at Warren County High would allow us to stabilize what we have in place. We have made great strides. I hope all will continue."
Faucette was grateful for the support of the group that went to the central administrative office on her behalf.
"I'm grateful for all their efforts that they are making so that progress can continue without interruption," she said.
If no action is taken by the board, Faucette's contact will automatically expire on June 30.
With a teaching career spanning more than 40 years, she has worked in Warren County Schools since 2005, when she became WCHS curriculum specialist. The next year, she was named assistant principal there.
MELDA SMITH
During its May 24 business meeting/work session, the board voted not to renew the contract of Warren New Tech High School (WNTHS) Principal Melda Smith.
After a motion made by board member Roberta Scott to extend Smith's contract failed due to lack of a second, the board approved a motion to reject Spain's recommendation to offer Smith a four-year contract.
The vote was 4-1, with Scott dissenting.
"I sincerely regret that my contract with Warren County Schools was not renewed," Smith said. "I would never walk out on my students, especially at a time when we are growing Warren New Technology High School in programs and opportunities."
Smith has served as WNTHS principal since November 2008 after its first principal, Emmy Coleman, resigned that year to accept a position out of the county.
"WNTHS, as any new school, definitely needs stability and continuity, especially at the dawn of its first graduating class," Smith said. "The school now faces great transition with new curriculum, teachers, facility, and administration, its third principal in four years. I wish the best for WNTHS' students, parents and staff."
OTHER NON-RENEWALS
The board voted not to renew the contracts of the following personnel who have not taught long enough in Warren County Schools to reach career status: William Horning, Academically Intellectually Gifted teacher and Jonathan Knight, carpentry teacher, Warren County Middle School; Beverly Baugh, guidance counselor, WCHS; and Jabari White, first-grade teacher, Northside Elementary School.
OTHER PERSONNEL MATTERS
In other personnel matters, the board:
Approved the employment of Shena Royster-Davis, Reading First coach, South Warren Elementary School, and Jacqueline Cozart, Reading First coach, Northside, both from June 17-18 and 28-30.
The board noted the resignation of Warren Early College High School (WECHS) science teacher Kathryn Dodson; and accepted the retirement of WECHS Principal Danylu Hundley, effective July 1.
Additional vacancies were reported as follows: art teacher, Exceptional Children's teacher and math teacher, WCMS; biology teacher, English teacher and two Exceptional Children's teachers, WCHS; digital media teacher, English teacher and social studies teacher, WNTHS; Exceptional Children's teacher, South Warren Elementary School; math/science teacher and science teacher, WECHS; carpenter and mechanic, district wide.
