Some parents in East Harlem have staged an occupation at their children’s school, fuming over who they call the “worst principal in the city.”
Eight parents stayed inside Central Park East Elementary School overnight in protest of Monika Garg. When they emerged Friday morning, dozens of other parents greeted them in support, holding signs demanding Garg’s resignation.
They claim Garg has created a culture of fear in students. Some parents said Garg interviewed their children without consent, then used that information to fire teachers they love.
“This is unacceptable. No parent would stand for this,” said parent Anika Tam.
“We demanded her resignation and Monika said, ‘I’m not going anywhere,'” said parent Bonnie Massey. “So we said, ‘Well we’re not either.'”
At least one parent, however, said Garg is just doing her job. Other parents are calling the protest an overreaction.
“She has growing to do, but this school has had how many principals in the last 10 years? Three or four principals. And there hasn’t been consistency. What she’s come in and doing is following DOE rules,” said Andre Watkins. “Monika is doing her job. She’s the best thing that’s happened to the school in a long time.”
The school has had a progressive approach to learning before Garg arrived, and critics say she’s abandoned that in favor of trying to make the school more traditional and standardized, the New York Times reports.
A message was left with the Department of Education seeking comment on the claims and calls for a resignation.
Via source
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