An inexplicable demotion at Manual High School Accelerated Learning Resources

An inexplicable demotion at Manual High School

A couple months ago, as the Manual High School principal selection process was in full swing, I asked two Manual students for their thoughts. They bemoaned the fact that interim Principal Joe Sandoval had to leave as they really like him. They then asked me if P. Jones (their term of endearment for Pastor Vernon Jones) would still be at Manual as assistant principal. I assured them it would be so. Their relief was palpable.

On Friday, April 8, Jones was called into a meeting with Mr. Brian Dale, the new principal selected for Manual High School (from what many have agreed was a shallow pool of candidates). Dale proceeded to inform Jones that for the 2011-12 school year, he could stay at the school as Community Liaison with a $25,000 pay cut. It took just a day for Jones to turn down this generous offer.

Mr. Dale, what were you thinking?

I am the PTA president at Whittier K-8. I am an Anglo woman who is an extremely active parent in the education community in the Near Northeast. I have sat in numerous meetings with Vernon and have had multiple conversations with him where we discussed our shared vision for quality schools and a thriving, collaborative NNE educational community. I have seen Vernon operate as the trusted voice, the seemingly lone advocate and the passionate defender of Manual High School and its brilliant students.

As an advocate for a K-8 school within spitting distance of Manual, I offered my unenthusiastic, reluctant support of Manual’s proposed expansion to a 6–12 configuration solely based on my trust in Vernon Jones. I knew Vernon would do everything possible to ensure that the new middle school would not just siphon off the students from its neighboring schools. I don’t know Brian Dale, so how can I trust Brian Dale to do the same?

And, by extension, DPS, what were you thinking?

I’m not an insider at DPS. I’m not privy to the backroom conversations that preceded this decision. But, with a school district already having the reputation (deserved or not) of pushing people of color out of educational positions, how could you support this decision? Manual will now sit with an administration that is 100% Anglo and a teaching staff that is at least 90 percent Anglo with a student body that is 99 percent students of color.

Vernon Jones is a competent, capable and well-respected administrator at Manual High School. Vernon was not an affirmative action hire. He wasn’t there to be the token leader of color. So, where does DPS go from here? In six months, when DPS sneaks in an African-American _______________ (fill in position here), how will that person not be seen as “token”?

Mr. Dale, did you honestly think this change was the best way to support Manuals students?

Mr. Dale, what were you thinking?

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