If you live in Savannah and have children interested in the arts,  you know that the dream is to attend high school at Savannah Arts Academy. A school known equally for its competitive art majors as well as the rigorous academics. It is one the highest achieving schools in the state and the country. 

This petition is being made in honor of the leader and heart of that school, Principal Gif Lockley. A little history on Gif for anyone that has never met him, including a lot of freshman parents, compliments to our BOE poor decisions.

https://www.lesleyfrancispr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nov_2019_Ardsley_Living-SBT.pdf

He is a prime example of integrity, love, respect, commitment, humor and relentless fighting to help his students achieve at the highest level. These are the characteristics that make Gif one of the most admired principals in Savannah. 

A few weeks ago rumors start flying around: retiring they said! Whelp, a group of SAA students and parents are not buying that! If you know Gif and you know what he has accomplished in the last 10 years  for Savannah kids, it’s impossible to accept he’s “conveniently retiring when his students are in a middle of a crisis, his teachers need him the most, and he’s known for being outspoken and blunt and truthful! Many of us are not buying the story being presented by the district!

Resignation vs retirement: big difference! 

For an absolutely unbelievable and successful principal to resign on his own when everyone needed his the most? Not buying it! Forced resignation? 

So what happened to Gif? 

How can we find the truth? How can we interview SAA teachers and ask the truth if they’re afraid of retaliation? How can we all rise as a community and demand transparency from our superintendent ? Should we involve the state? 

Is our district moving towards destroying SAA and what it stands for? Academic requirements, talent, commitment to education, ethics and morals? Is that so bad to expect from our children and our district leaders? And should the kids who comply should be punished and brought down to their knees because they study and have goals? 

Where is our board, where is transparency and open door communication? 

If you too are curious to get to the bottom of mystery created by our wonderful public school district, please sign this petition~

Thank you,

A group of SAA students and parents