HAMMOND, La. — In about two weeks, the principal at Hammond Eastside Magnet School will be replaced, not because of job performance, but because a court said so.
In a court order, a New Orleans federal judge ruled that the Tangipahoa Parish School System, Superintendent Melissa Stilley in particular, failed to uphold anti-discrimination polices.
Specifically, the district’s chief equity officer wasn’t consulted during the process that ended with Jenna Vial, a white woman, being hired as principal. It was discovered during a yearly review by the school system’s desegregation monitor.
By way of a lawsuit, Sharon Walker, a black woman who initially didn’t get the job, will become the new principal.
In protest, school leaders confirmed a number of teachers requested substitutes for their classrooms on Monday. It’s unclear exactly how many teachers didn’t show up.
In a social media post Monday, the school acknowledged that many teachers had requested a substitute, but classes would take place as normal. A number of posts on social media point the finger at the school system for creating the problem.
Superintendent Stilley objected to the court’s decision and in filing an appeal, claimed any flaws in the hiring process were unintentional. The superintendent’s office referred all questions to attorneys, who didn’t return calls Monday afternoon.
Tangipahoa Parish school board president Brett Duncan released the following statement to WWL Louisiana.
"On Friday, May 10, 2024 the Federal Judge in the Tangipahoa Desegregation case issued Court Order 1845 for the hiring of Ms. Sharon Walker as the new principal at Hammond Eastside IB Lower School.
"The matter of the hiring of the principal at Hammond Eastside Lower was before the Judge on a grievance filed September 12, 2023 by an applicant as to the hiring process, believing it to be in violation of the Court’s desegregation order. After review of the process, the Judge ordered that Ms. Walker be placed in this position.
"TPSB will continue to follow the Judge’s orders, including Order 1845, in its efforts to put in place sustainable policies and practices which ensure, in good faith, a system that removes all vestiges of a prior system of segregation.
"The Board and Administration welcomes Ms. Walker into her new principal position and look forward to supporting her in her new role. Our focus remains on a smooth and successful transition at Hammond Eastside IB Lower School and our commitment to the leadership, staff, and students of Tangipahoa Parish.
"The Board will continue to work closely with the court-appointed compliance monitors to ensure that our policies and practices are in compliance with the law. We remain dedicated to providing the best educational experience for all students in Tangipahoa Parish.
"On the advice of our attorneys, the Board will have no further public comment on this matter."
Efforts to reach Sharon Walker’s attorney on Monday were unsuccessful.
The change in leadership at the school is set to happen the week of May 27th.
See the complete court filing below:
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