Community Launches Petition to Support Student Safety and Reinstate Unjustly Fired Principal

AUSTIN, Texas, July 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Parents and community members in Taylor, Texas, today launched a petition to reinstate former Legacy Early College High School (ECHS) Principal Rosemary Kelly, after she was unjustly fired for trying to protect the lives of her students and staff.

On February 20, 2018, the Taylor Police Department received a call from a current Legacy ECHS student on campus, who threatened to "kill as many students and teachers as possible." The student was arrested and charged with making a "credible terroristic threat" (according to the Taylor Police Department), a third-degree felony. Principal Kelly immediately recognized her responsibility to keep the entire school population safe, including the troubled student who made the threat.

Kelly, having been a campus counselor and educator for decades, saw the warning signs prior to the incident and repeatedly asked for additional resources and mental health support on campus. Not until it was too late, was the request granted; an unfortunate epidemic plaguing many schools around the country.

When the student was allowed to return to campus, several weeks later, Kelly, in her role as principal, was inexplicably terminated after attempting to take action and voicing her opposition to Taylor ISD, who continued to disregard student safety.

"As a parent, I did not want this student returning to class with our children," said Elizabeth Polasek, parent of a student at Legacy ECHS. "We were shocked and outraged when the Taylor ISD Board of Trustees allowed the student to return, then fired the woman who was clearly trying to protect them. There have been 23 school shootings in 2018 alone and we grieve for the families and communities who have lost their loved ones. We've launched this petition to show the board of trustees that we won't stand for one more incident harming children on campus, and that the community wants to keep Rosemary Kelly as our principal. In fact, I think every parent would want her as principal."

Students need positive learning environments where they feel safe and protected. The student who made the terroristic threat jeopardized the safety of Legacy ECHS students, and the student's return to campus placed a fearful burden on fellow classmates.

Kelly was properly exercising her role as the leader of the high school when she voiced opposition to Taylor ISD's lack of concern for school safety and attention to the agitated student's need for help and additional resources.

"I have a responsibility to protect all of my students at Legacy; it is my job and my life's work," said Kelly. "In my role, I have a duty to ensure all my students have access to a quality education in a safe and nurturing environment. No student should have to fear for their life when they come to school. My termination doesn't change the fact that life-threatening issues on the ECHS campus still exist and need to be addressed. I made a promise to keep all my students safe. I want to return to see that promise through."

Kelly is seeking an appeal of the board's decision through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) with the intent to regain her position.

A petition to reinstate Ms. Kelly as Legacy ECHS principal has been created by several parents and concerned community members. To show your support for student safety and to see more resources dedicated to addressing mental health issues in schools, please visit Facebook.com/groups/SupportMsKelly, and sign the petition on Change.org.

#KeepMsKelly
#ProtectionOverPolitics

SOURCE Keep Ms. Kelly