About 100 Warhill High School students walked out of class this morning to protest the school administration.
The students left class around 9 a.m. and returned by the start of their third block just after 10 a.m. No staff members participated in the walkout.
The protest comes close on the heels of a Warhill senior speaking at the Williamsburg-James City County School Board meeting May 20. Jong Lee — who stood with nine other students — told the board he spoke on behalf of teachers, staff and students concerned about the new administration at Warhill.
“We’re increasingly concerned about the school’s climate,” Lee said. “Many teachers and students feel the new administration has created a hostile environment.”
He said teachers have not expressed their opinions for fear of losing their jobs, while students are afraid of punishment. Lee pointed to turnover in Warhill’s faculty and staff as an issue facing the school.
Warhill has a new principal, Jeff Carroll, and two new assistant principals this school year, and has lost 14 staff members since the start of the year on Sept. 3. Ten of those resigned, three retired and one teacher transferred. Lafayette High School has also had 14 teachers leave, while Jamestown High has had eight.
In a statement to WYDaily after the meeting, Carroll said he and his team had worked hard to build relationships with the Warhill community. He did not indicate whether he had heard concerns from teachers or staff, but said he makes himself available to those hoping to have their voices heard.
“Change is not always easy, but I am committed to WHS and to making strides at the school both in academics and in environment. I sincerely hope to help build both school spirit and school pride because we have great students and staff at our school, and we can accomplish a lot when we work together,” Carroll wrote.
A twitter account called “Remember Warhill” began tweeting about the cause May 19.
“Have you heard of all the teachers/staff being reassigned to a new school (or no school) next fall?” the description reads. “This page is for them. Send us your comments.”
The account also tweeted about the walkout, stressing students take the protest seriously.
It also links to a change.org petition which has garnered 91 signatures as of this morning. Addressed to WJCC Public Schools and Superintendent Steven Constantino, the petition was “written on behalf of the majority of Warhill High School students” and focuses on the concern of teachers’ unhappiness and leaving, as well as prolonged skepticism from the community toward the new administration.
A fight broke out in the school not long after the protest, but James City County Police said it was not related to the walkout. The students were fighting over a girl, Maj. Steve Rubino said.
Betsy Overkamp-Smith, a spokesperson for WJCC, said appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for the students involved in the fight.
The Remember Warhill Twitter account made mention of the fight, encouraging students to get along to better help the cause.
“This was supposed to be about standing together and supporting our teachers.. WHY ARE WE FIGHTING!?!?” it tweeted, and “Whether or not the fight was related to the walk out, it definitely does not help the situation and you can bet it will be used against us.”
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