For the past several days, parents, teachers and students at Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School, on the Big Island have been pleading that their Principal, John Colson, be re-instated. This week the local school board Ho’okako’o Corporation announced Colson would be resigning effective March 31.
"And to do it in the middle of the school year with assessments coming around the corner in a couple of weeks," questioned Melissa Lindsey, parent of a 6th grade student at Waimea Middle School.
Colson has served as Principal of Waimea Middle Schools 300 students for four years, and was successful in raising Hawaii State Assessment test scores.
Parents say his resignation doesn’t make sense.
"Knowing that the school is in such great progress, why are they removing someone that’s striving to do better?" asked Loy Luta, parent of a sixth grade student at Wamiea Middle School.
Parents say Ho’okako’o Corp. recently gave him 4.8 out of 5 on his annual evaluation.
Colson could not be reached for comment. The local school board says it was Colson’s decision to resign.
"I understand the support and respect for John, but I think we have to honor John’s wishes in his statement and respect that he is moving on," says Keith Vieira, Ho’okako’o Corporation Board of Directors Chair.
Ho’okako’o Corp. says Colson’s resignation was not due to any impropriety.
"Ho’okako’o, which stands for innovative teaching and learning, will use the opportunity to move forward with someone who can move to the next level," says Vieira.
An executive search to find Colson’s replacement will begin immediately.
"He {Colson} said he would come back in a heart beat… So I think there is something deeper going on," says Luta.
Several parents and teachers have planned to boycott school Monday morning to show Ho’okako’o Corp. they’re not happy.
"My action is to move on this, holomua, go quickly, because this is going to hit us like a bomb we need to take care of this," says Lindsey.
Ho’okako’o Corp. plans to hold a community meeting this week in Waimea to discuss parents concerns and how to move forward.
"We hope this weeks meeting with the community helps alleviate their fears and we can all do right by the children," says Vieira.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
