Students, parents and former staff members of Saint John High School rallied on Friday to protest the school board’s decision not to extend the contract of Principal Marijke Blok.
Blok has been running Saint John High School for five years and many of her students and their parents say she is one of the best principals the school has ever had.
However, the school board has decided not to renew her contract in the fall, and students say they want to know why.
Zoe Watson, superintendent of the Anglophone South School District, was met by nearly 100 chanting students, parents and retired staff at the school district’s office in Saint John on Friday.
“I know you’re looking for more information and this is very much a personal issue,” Watson told the crowd.
Her response didn’t sit well with retired vice-principal Richard Thorne.
“Do you understand the needs of this community? And what the needs of the south end community, which is a fractured community, are? I think you’ve totally misconstrued it, and never even used the parents’ views in making your decisions,” said Thorne.
“I have had two boys go through that school under her principalship,” says parent Kathy Turner. “She’s incredibly easy to approach, very approachable and I can’t imagine why they’ve made this decision, seems to be no reason to me.”
While they are upset with the school board’s decision, the protesters said they mainly want to know why it was made. Neither Watson nor the school board has addressed the issue.
“You have to answer to the public,” said Grade 12 student David Hickey, who organized the protest. “You are in the public light and when we have a support like this, it is very important that you start answering to the public and not to your own agendas.”
Blok would not comment on the matter.
She will continue teaching at the school, but unless the decision not to renew her contract is reversed, there will be a new principal at the high school in the fall.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar
