Brandon Twp.- The removal of Michael Ferguson as Brandon High School principal sparked controversy this week that included protests by students and teachers alike and left questions unanswered.
Superintendent Tom Miller said he told Ferguson on Jan. 17 he would be transferred to the position of Assistant to the Director of Special Education and the CHOICES program, Brandon’s alternative high school. The following morning, Miller told the high school staff and sent a letter home to parents informing them of the decision.
When asked why he made the decision, Miller responded, ‘Some information was shared regarding leadership at Brandon High School and I decided to make a change. CHOICES needed additional help and his expertise was needed there.?
Ferguson was due to begin at CHOICES effective Monday, but called in sick. He did not return phone calls to his home for comment.
Miller said representatives of the Brandon Education Association provided the information that led to his decision.
‘They called and asked to meet with me and shared statements that had been made by teachers regarding the leadership at the high school,? he said.
Steve Hendershott, BEA president, said he and Michigan Education Association Uniserve Director Bill Curtis had a conversation two weeks ago with Miller. Hendershott said he and Curtis shared districtwide concerns and why teachers turned down a contract offer, but there was nothing that was specific to Ferguson.
‘I don’t believe the education association is the reason (Ferguson) was transferred,? said Hendershott. ‘I think it is being conveyed that way, but I don’t believe it to be true.?
He noted that in 12 years as principal, Ferguson has led the high school to be a Blue Ribbon exemplary school and has made adequate yearly progress in regards to the No Child Left Behind Act. Hendershott acknowledged that the teachers and Ferguson have had differences of opinions and philosophies, but worked together to solve their issues most of the time.
‘Our high school staff is very upset,? Hendershott said. ?75-85 percent were hired in with Dr. Ferguson and even though there are differences of opinions, there is a great sense of loyalty.?
Many teachers demonstrated that loyalty and support of Ferguson by wearing black on Monday. Many more students followed the lead of the teachers by wearing black on Tuesday and also staging a silent sit-down protest in the math and science hallway beginning at 7:20 a.m., five minutes before classes were to begin.
More than 100 students were estimated to have participated in the protest organized by Class President Tyler Underwood and Student Councilmember Hayley Lewis.
‘We didn’t want to get aggressive, we just wanted to get our point across,? said Underwood. ‘We just want them to know we deserve to know what is going on with our principal, because they are being discreet.?
The protest lasted until about 8:05 a.m., when Underwood said Assistant Principal Jerry Warner told the students he would start suspending them if they didn’t go back to class. Underwood did not end up getting a suspension, but three other students did.
‘We were all here, wearing black, fighting for what we believe in,? Underwood said. ‘It was nice to see kids together, fighting for their principal who’s been here 10 years… He’s been good to us.?
At least one parent was upset about the protest.
‘As a parent, I’m furious at the amount of time taken for political stances,? said Gina Muzzarelli, who is a former school board member. ‘There is a right to assembly and free speech, but absolutely not during classtime. Show me you’re really committed to your ideals and stay after school.?
Muzzarelli also expressed support for Miller’s decision, saying she has had children in the high school for the past eight years and problems at the high school have not been addressed.
‘I am in support of Tom Miller’s decision, because I know it was based on information from the teacher’s union,? she said. ‘There were very specific concerns from the staff, things they said they needed and were told by Ferguson they couldn’t get and the information was not conveyed to Mr. Miller… His (Ferguson’s) style of administration is what bothered me. It was not a supportive style.?
Miller acknowledged that materials in the classroom was one of many things shared in his discussion with the teacher’s union representatives. He would not comment on whether he was happy with Ferguson’s performance, nor whether he discussed the issues brought up with Ferguson before making the decision to transfer him or whether Ferguson willingly accepted the change.
School Board Trustee Karyn Milligan said Miller approached each member of the board separately with his recommendation to remove Ferguson as BHS principal. She also said there was no specific incident or inappropriate behavior that led to Ferguson’s dismissal at the high school, rather, it was all about his ‘job performance and leadership ability.?
School Board President Greg Allar said, ‘It was an administrative decision from the superintendent, and Tom Miller has our full support… The board only has the authority to hire and fire one person and that is the superintendent.?
Miller said he does not consider the transfer to CHOICES a demotion, nor a disciplinary action. The position of assistant to the director of special education and the CHOICES program is new and will involve the overseeing of the alternative education program. Miller said Ferguson’s salary will remain the same.
Pam Schoemer, the director of special education and the CHOICES program, is also currently the acting principal until an interim principal is hired.
Miller said he wasn’t at liberty to share whether Ferguson would be reinstated. His contract is good through 2009.
There are no other personnel issues, Miller emphasized, and he stressed that a rumor currently circulating that Brandon Middle School Principal William Snyder is going to be fired is false.
Many students followed their Tuesday protest by skipping school the next day. A school official said that 235 students were absent from the high school on Wednesday, up from the average of 65 students absent. The high school has about 1,250 students.
Underwood has been telling everyone to attend the next school board meeting, set for 6:30 p.m., Feb. 11 at the Belle Ann Elementary gymnasium, 155 E. Glass Road.
‘We want to find out what is going on with Dr. Ferguson and clear up these rumors,? Underwood said. ‘I just want some clarity and if he was wrongly accused, I want to do something.?