Winchester High students rally support for embattled principal
Winchester High School students are rallying to save the job of their embattled principal, Sean R. Kiley, who apparently won’t be back on the job in September.
Students plan to speak at Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting to state their support for Kiley, who led the 1,200 student school for just one year before new School Superintendent Judith Evans sent an e-mail last week stating he had resigned.
But Kiley sent an e-mail to the Globe stating that he hadn’t resigned. “I did not resign as principal of Winchester High School. That is all I will say for now,’’ Kiley said in an e-mail to the Globe on Thursday. He also wrote that he has a valid contract through June 30, 2017.
The conflicting e-mails touched off a flurry of support for Kiley, with students taking to Facebook and Twitter to show support, and parents launching an online petition to help save Kiley.
Kiley did not respond to an e-mail from the Globe sent on Monday seeking further comment.
Evans — who took over as superintendent on July 1 — did not immediately respond on Tuesday to a request for comment.
Chris Kuang — the president of the school’s student council — stated on Facebook that Evans informed him on Monday that Kiley won’t be back when school reopens on Sept. 8.
“Until this situation is settled, there will be an interim principal for the entirety of the 2015-16 school year. This interim will most likely come from outside (not a current WHS figure). Mr. Chapman is the contact for high school related inquiries but will most likely not be the interim,’’ Kuang wrote.
Kuang declined to be interviewed by the Globe ahead of Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. at McCall Middle School on Main Street. But he did direct a reporter to his Facebook posting.
He further wrote that Kiley apparently has had prior issues with school administrators.
“Dr. Evans also stated that the issues within WHS administration existed before she started as Superintendent. She also contended that it did not stem from issues with students, parents, or WHS faculty,’’ he wrote.
“Dr. Evans shared that she shares extremely similar educational philosophies and priorities as Mr. Kiley and that she is committed to finding leadership for WHS that can continue in the positive direction Principal Kiley took us in,’’ the posting stated.
“We recognize this information is not going to fill the gaping holes that remain, but we hope it will add a little clarity to the situation. Finally, we ask that however this situation unfolds in the next couple days or weeks, that the entire Winchester community act in a respectful manner. If you still have concerns, Dr. Evans asked us to convey that she is committed to keeping her door open for face-to-face meetings on this issue as well as any others that might arise,’’ Kuang wrote.
Kiley’s anticipated departure after just one year on the job stunned both parents and students . A hastily-arranged meeting at the town library last Wednesday drew about 50 people. More than 1,400 signed an online petition imploring school officials to keep Kiley on the job.
Students launched their Facebook page, and many used the hashtag “#KeepKiley’’ to show support on Twitter. On Monday and Tuesday, they held signs at busy town intersections to show their support for the principal who led the school through a tumultuous year that included the death of a popular student athlete, and the launch of a major construction project at the school.
Despite the prospect of a new temporary principal in the fall, Kuang is still encouraging students to show support for Kiley by attending tonight’s meeting.
“Despite recent new information, we are still hoping that EVERYONE joins us tonight at 7pm at McCall to show their support of Principal Kiley,’’ he wrote. “Tonight’s school committee meeting is our chance to show, in person, how many people are grateful of Mr. Kiley’s work this year and would like him to continue to create positive change here in Winchester.’’
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