A PETITION
TO DCPS CHANCELLOR DR. LEWIS FEREBEE

June 22, 2023

Dr. Lewis Ferebee, Chancellor
DC Public Schools
1200 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

Dear Chancellor Ferebee:

We, the undersigned, are writing to demand that Principal Eskay be removed from Eaton Elementary School immediately and that DCPS move swiftly to replace him with a leader who will treat teachers, staff, and families with respect. The Eaton community does not want to endure another extended period of leadership uncertainty.

This petition is an initiative of the Eaton Home and School Association (HSA), which voted unanimously on June 21st in support of a motion calling for the immediate removal of Mr. Eskay.

100% of Eaton teachers signed a letter of no confidence in Mr. Eskay dated June 14th. The letter outlines numerous disturbing allegations of egregiously unethical behavior towards Eaton teachers, staff, and students. The Eaton HSA and LSAT Boards have described these allegations as “credible on their face given their quantity, consistency, and level of detail.”

We understand that DCPS has initiated an investigation, and that Mr. Eskay will be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations. But regardless of the outcome of that investigation, we have lost confidence in his ability to lead our community, which has long prided itself on being a safe, supportive, and caring environment for all students to learn and grow.

We are disappointed in the DCPS response thus far, but remain hopeful that greater attention to this situation will bring about the change we need. We look to DCPS leaders expecting to see alignment with the values that the teachers, parents, and the community at Eaton hold sacred. We expect those in positions of power to do the right thing by teachers, staff, and our children. 

We demand a new principal for Eaton Elementary.