The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has heard from a group of teachers opposed to the possible release of High School Principal Donald Pearson. The board was presented on Tuesday with a letter signed by nearly 40 staff members stating support for Pearson. Teacher Shay Briggs-Sternaman read from it.
“It is the opinion of the staff at the high school that the continuous removal of the person at the top is just not working for us,” Sternaman said.
Sternaman said Pearson has created a positive environment for staff and students, adding reports of fights at the school have been exaggerated.
“It becomes incredibly difficult to create a stable environment for our students when we completely switch leadership and curriculum every one to three years,” Sternaman said.
Sternaman was backed by a group of teachers appealing that Pearson not be removed from his position. Pearson was one of five administrators who were told late last month that non-renewals of their contracts were under consideration by trustees. A vote on those contracts could take place April 30.
