Edwardsville teachers call for principal’s termination after aggressive and inappropriate behavior

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Education Association (EEA) is planning to call for the termination of an elementary school principal after several verified and well-documented incidents of inappropriate behavior toward staff, students and parents. Teachers, staff and community members plan to wear red and pack tonight's Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 (D7) Board of Education meeting and speak during public comments, calling on the board to take immediate action.

The D7 administration was made aware of the claims this summer, and EEA was notified the claims were substantiated. However on Aug. 7, EEA was notified by the D7 superintendent and director of human resources that the district intends to issue a notice to remedy rather than terminate the principal's employment.

"The administration's decision to issue a Notice to Remedy and leave the principal at the building in charge of the educators that came forward is both an incredible injustice to our school community and an unbelievable disservice to our students and staff. The principal intimidated, harassed and bullied staff, and created a hostile work environment," EEA Co-President Carla Kinsey said. "Our members are not being provided appropriate safeguards as they return to work in the same building. We will not stand for our members being forced to work and our students learning in an unsafe environment."

This summer, several staff members brought a long list of substantiated concerns about the principal to the district's administration. The complaints include:

• Sending demeaning text messages to staff about students and parents.
• Making inappropriate comments about parents during Individualized Education Program (IEPs) meetings, referring to parents as "crazy" and making fun of them during virtual meetings.
• A history of screaming at children who are not following directions or listening. These episodes are documented through employee emails expressing their concerns about the way he speaks to students.
• Creating a hostile work environment for employees through:
  • Frequent use of profanity and abusive language directed at staff;
  • Public humiliation;
  • Retaliatory behavior;
  • Intimidation during private meetings;
  • Speaking negatively about coworkers and parents;
  • Publicly calling out teachers during staff meetings;
    And inequitable distribution of resources.

These actions are in clear violation of multiple D7 policies. D7 board policy 5:20 indicates workplace harassment is prohibited and establishes the district's expectations regarding workplace harassment and procedures for addressing allegations involving employee conduct. Board policy 5:120 addresses employee ethics, and the codes of professional conduct and conflict of interest establish expectations regarding ethical and professional conduct by D7 employees.

"A safe, healthy, and supportive environment is a basic right for every student and staff member. Protecting our schools is a priority of the district and the EEA, but a decision to keep this principal in his position directly contradicts this collective commitment. D7 has a clear duty to protect its staff and the children entrusted to them, so we urge the district to uphold this responsibility," EEA Co-President Mollie Rice said.

There are more than 500 teachers and certified staff in the EEA bargaining unit serving the more than 7,000 D7 students, including the nearly 300 students who attend this elementary school.

Tonight's board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The board meeting will be held at Liberty Middle School (1 District Dr., Edwardsville). It can also be live-streamed at this link.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state's largest union. IEA represents PreK-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.