Dear LAUSD Administration,

We are writing on behalf of the parents, community, but most importantly, the children who attend Charnock Road Elementary School. It has come to our attention that our Principal, Mr. Mark Duncan, will be transferred to another school, and we want to make clear that we will do all we can to keep him here at Charnock. We are disheartened that the district would take a principal from the school without any warning, regard or involvement of the community. Mr. Duncan, has been an integral part of the progress we have seen in our students, even amongst the trials and heartaches we have experienced over the past few years. The education, innovation and genuine morale of the school has drastically improved during the time we have had him as a principal. We know that he can help our children make greater strides, reach higher levels, and most importantly become leaders and important members of our society. We are here to fight for the rights of these children to not have the leader they have come to love and admire be taken from them.

Last year, one of our beloved teachers passed away suddenly, breaking the hearts of our students and community. Another teacher was also taken on leave due to extenuating health circumstances, and we see how these changes affect our children. To take away another leader they have come to love and admire, would be unnecessarily devastating to them and our community. Aside from the great kindness and compassion he has shown these children in these difficult times, his leadership has helped these students excel academically. Our Roadrunners exceeded the District achievement goals in language arts during the 2017-2018 school year as measured by the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment as well as the school having its third year of continued growth in the area of mathematics as measured by the Spring 2018 Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) test.  Attendance has drastically  improved, and we see students fostering and modeling safe, respectful, and responsible choices. 

Our children deserve the best education and leadership that can be provided. In such a confusing and troubling world, they need the refuge and solace they find in an environment that sets them up for success and helps them understand their value. Our children admire, respect and love Mr. Duncan, and his leadership is setting up these children to be our future leaders. Our community has benefited from his structure, his direction and his leadership, and we are excited to see how much further he can take us. Attached is a signed petition of the parents, leaders and members of the community who are willing to fight for our children’s rights to have the best education and guidance they deserve and need. Our community is united, and we will be heard. 

Sincerely,

Charnock Road Community