Leon County School Board Chair Barney Bishop gave an ultimatum to Principal Hope Carrasquilla; resign or be fired. She chose to resign. She was the principal for less than a year at the Tallahassee Classical School.
According to her, 3 parents complained about an art lesson on the Renaissance period in the school which has a Classical focus. The school is required to teach about Renaissance art in the sixth grade in order to keep its Classical specification with Hillsdale College curriculum. USA Today reported that an email was sent to parents Monday evening that the new principal, Cara Wynn of North Florida Christian School would be taking over.
“It’s not unusual in new charter schools to go through several principals,” Bishop said.
Out of the 3 parents who complained that the content of the class upset their children, two said they wanted to be notified beforehand that the lesson would be taught. The other complained that that the lesson was porn.
The principal said that a letter should have been sent home to parents, but a breakdown communication between her and staff lead to the over site. Last month, the school board passed a new rule requiring parents to be notified at least 2 weeks in advance of any content that may be considered “controversial.” The parents are given the opportunity to review the content, and a reminder letter also has to be sent 1 week before the class is actually taught.
School Board Chair Bishop said, “Parental rights are supreme, and that means protecting the interests of all parents, whether its one, 10, 20 or 50.”
Other parents took issue with the firing, complaining about communication between the school board and the parents. A special meeting was called at 7 in the morning on Monday, and parents did not have time to learn what had happened, nor provide input.
“It’s starting to feel like the school is becoming part of an agenda,” said Carrie Boyd who has two children at the school.
