Teachers, students and parents at Marshall Metropolitan High School are up in arms over their principal's ouster, saying the move was more about politics than academics.
CPS officials say Angel Johnson was removed from her position at the West Side school because it has not been performing up to academic standards. She's been replaced by Lori Campbell, who previously served as principal of Piccolo Elementary Specialty School.
"It makes no sense to remove a principal who has done nothing but move the school in a positive direction," Marshall High School Dean, Fadia Afaneh, said.
Johnson's supporters say there was no warning about the move and claim Johnson has reduced the dropout rate and increased attendance during her tenure as principal.
But CPS officials say the school has been on academic probation consecutively for the past 18 years, and that a new three-year School Improvement Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education was contingent upon leadership change at the school.
"While the District understands change can be difficult, we are confident this transition is in the best interest of students and the Marshall school community, and we will work with students, families and the community to ensure a productive and successful school year," CPS spokesman Bill McCaffrey said.
Johnson worked her way up from clerk to principal at the school over a period of 21 years.
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"She has not been removed, she's still in our system and she'll still be working and we'll be looking forward to our leadership now really moving our children forward in the direction we need to move," CPS superintendent Barbara Byrd-Bennett said.
Parents say a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to address the issue and some students have also threatened a walkout.
"It's very frustrating because I have a lot of plans toward college, scholarships, I have to work on that, and just to hear this is a big distraction," senior Kiara Harrell said.
