HOUSTON — As many students prepare to end another school year, some find themselves using their voices in support of their favorite teachers and principals.
Many won’t return to jobs next school year with the Houston Independent School District.
"This has been the talk of the town all week," Myeasha Craven said.
Craven is the mother of a fourth grader at The School at St. George Place where for the last five years, Sean McClish has served as a beloved principal.
"An amazing, outstanding, professional," Craven said.
McClish is the latest principal to learn his fate this week, according to a recent conversation with Craven. She is the school’s parent-teacher organization president.
"His contract will not be renewed and he was put up against either resigning you know voluntarily or you know other actions," said Craven.
This is why several families are organizing and taking action on his behalf.
"We’ve heard about custodians, we’ve heard about teachers, we’ve heard about principals, but it hits a little different when it’s your own school," said Craven.
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said the decision to not renew a teacher or principal at the end of the year is nothing new and is solely based on examinations that started at the beginning of the year.
"We are looking at data. What sort of data? We’re looking at spot observations or instructional reviews, we’re looking at achievement data to determine how effective a principal is," said Miles.
"We have a voice so you know we do have some people that are like, it's not going to change anything or anything like that and it may not, but at least we can say we tried and we are showing Mr. McClish that we support him," said Craven.
Organizers with the PTO at The School at St. George Place plan to host a protest Friday morning outside the school at 7:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, the district said they are still conducting end-of-the-year reviews, which means more non-renewals could be coming.