Petition for the Immediate Removal of Principal Stephanie Carroll and Assistant Principal Ayanna Morris

We, the concerned parents and community members of District 13, write this petition to urgently address the dire situation at Daniel Hale Williams P. S. 307 School. We demand the immediate removal of Principal Stephanie Carroll and Assistant Principal Ayanna Morris for the following reasons, among others:

1. Academic and Emotional Decline: Under Principal Carroll's leadership, our once-thriving school has deteriorated academically and emotionally. Our students are suffering due to this decline.

2. Lack of Administrative Skills: Principal Carroll and Assistant Principal Morris have demonstrated a severe lack of administrative, communication, and interpersonal skills necessary for effective school operations.

3. Removal of Programs: Valuable programs that foster academic growth, family engagement, and community solidarity have been taken away, leaving our school and community in distress.

4. Safety Concerns: The school's safety has deteriorated to a point where PS307 is known as "Little Riker's Island." Bullying rates have surged, with students assaulting teachers during recess without consequences. Students are afraid to attend school due to the fear of physical harm. The Principal refuses to hire adequate staff to safeguard students. 

5. Hostile Environment: A once-thriving sense of community has been replaced by a hostile and racist environment created by the Principal and Assistant Principal. Parents' complaints are weaponized against teachers. Principal Carroll and her office staff have divulged parents' confidential information to other staff members without proper consent or notification. Principal Carroll and Assistant Principal Morris have manipulated PTA Presidents and violated PTA Policies, insinuating the current PTA president is a racist and has urged black parents to run for positions on the PTA. 

6. Harassment and False Allegations: The administration has harassed and made false allegations against staff, parents, and parent leaders, leading to unjust investigations with the intent of termination or banning from the school building. 

7. Retaliation and Intimidation: Retaliation and intimidation tactics are used to silence those who speak out against her, with the Principal resorting to calling ACS on parents without probable cause.

8. Discrimination: Principal Carroll has demonstrated favoritism towards the white population of teachers and parents while devaluing and disrespecting senior teachers and denying tenure to qualified African-American teachers. 

9. Bias Against African American Community: There is a disturbing bias against African American teachers, parents, and students. The Principal has been witnessed publicly insulting the entire Black community of PS307 in a meeting. She has made insensitive statements regarding the Farragut Housing Developments: "She is glad she does not live there." Suggests that black parents increase their vocabulary by learning a new word daily. 

10. Blocked and Sabotaged Donations: Donations for the school have been blocked, and opportunities for support, such as computer donations from Google during the pandemic, have been sabotaged—failure to respond to the deadline. 

11. Loss of Quality Teachers: Many experienced, dedicated, and talented teachers have left, leaving our students with educators who cannot relate to the students or community. 

12. Violation and Manipulation of Staff Contracts: Principal Carroll has been observed violating staff members' contracts at PS307. She has sought to gain favor during School Leadership Team meetings by influencing parents to support her, potentially undermining the professional working environment. She has pitted parents against each other to side with her on issues. This behavior raises questions about the transparency and fairness of decision-making processes within the school.

13. Questionable Hiring Practices: Principal Carroll and Assistant Principal Morris have engaged in questionable hiring practices, including employing an individual with a criminal history. The individual was reported for assaulting a kindergartner and a colleague. This individual was initially removed from the school but was rehired by Principal Carroll, causing distress among teachers and students who fear this individual and are now placed in the same environment.  

14. Concerns About Staff Member Behavior: The rehired staff member with a criminal history of assault has reportedly continued to engage in intimidating behavior towards students, fellow staff members, and parent leaders. This creates an environment that is not conducive to the safety and well-being of all school community members.

15. Restriction of Parent Involvement: Principal Carroll and Assistant Principal Morris restricted parents from volunteering and parent leaders from entering the school building due to personal emotions and false accusations. This limitation on parent involvement raises concerns about transparency and collaboration between the school administration and the community.

16. Improper Handling of School Finances: Principal Carroll and Assistant Principal Morris have shown a lack of competence in managing school funds related to school programming, recess programming, etc. An audit of the books is necessary to determine the proper allocation of funds.

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Committee of Concerned District13 Parents