WCCUSD School Board Speech

Last night my son and I spoke at the WCCUSD School Board meeting. Here is what I said: My name is Sarah Creeley. I am a teacher at Hanna Ranch in Hercules. Something must be done at Hercules High School!  

Even though 94% of the teachers gave Principal Jen Bender a vote of no confidence, the communication with the people of Hercules, including parents, is nonexistent. The school has had an increase in fights, that are still going on, according to parents of students there. This is not a new problem. On October 10th 2012, Justin Jones, who was a student at Hercules High spoke in this room  about problems with Principal Bender.  The next day, at school, Justin was stripped of his $10,000 Young Scholars scholarship, and kicked out of the program for speaking out. He was told he embarrassed the school.  How bad is Principal Bender? She refused to give one of her teachers, Janet Headington, a room change, closer to a bathroom, as her doctor had requested. Principal Bender refused even though there was an empty, available room. Principal Bender waited to go through with the change, until it was 2 days before the 1st day of school. Ms. Headington's materials were packed into boxes and moved to the new room, where Principal Bender later came in to photograph them, filing a Williams Act complaint against Ms Headington. She did this even though she knew Ms. Headington was out on medical leave. Principal Bender's vindictive behavior must be addressed by this board. The bullying of Ms. Headington, an exceptional teacher, must be addressed by this board. The daily violence that happens at Hercules High must be stopped by this board. No wonder 94% of the tenured teachers at Hercules High gave Principal Bender a vote of NO CONFIDENCE. Please read my blog titled "Justice for Janet" to learn more about real problems at Hercules High School. The first comment begins with "Disheartening as it sounds."