FRESNO (KMJ) — Parents are campaigning to keep the current Principal at Fresno’s Addams Elementary School. But Fresno Unified School District has other plans for her.
The issue came to a head with a protest outside the school Wednesday morning. Parents and supporters turned out in force with placards and chanting, in an attempt to keep Principal Sandra Toscano in place for the more than 800 students she oversees.
“Save our school” was the call the crowd shouted out in unison, but it may be too late. The Fresno Unified School District staff who were there said it was Sandra Toscano’s call, and no words were said to suggest that the decision could be reversed.
“The position was presented to her as an opportunity to continue her leadership somewhere else, and she willingly jumped on board and accepted that position”, says Fresno Unified’s Amy Idsvoog.
“We want her to be able to share her expertise at another school site where she can make a similar impact. She’s a great leader and we just want her to be able to take that leadership and embrace another community”.
But parents outside the school think Fresno Unified coerced her to switch sites, away from a school which the Fresno Teacher’s Association says has seen increased test scores, morale, school climate, and attendance, in the two years Principal Toscano has been in the job.
“You know, they say that she has got a set of skills, which she does”, says Michael Turner, whose child attends Addams Elementary. “But what about this school’s needs, what about these kids’ needs?
“These kids don’t matter? This community on this side of town doesn’t matter? Does this side always have to get the short end of the stick? Do we always have to get left behind? What about our kids?
“It seems to me that Fresno Unified already has their mind made up, but hopefully this protest out here, and all this media attention, puts a good light on keeping her here”.
The protestors have threatened to take the matter to the Fresno Unified School Board, if it isn’t resolved.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
