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Parents and Frost Elementary staff urge Lawrence Public Schools to reconsider principal nonrenewal
Summary
Multiple Frost Elementary staff and parents used public comment at a Lawrence Public Schools meeting to protest the nonrenewal of Principal Dan Thornton, citing improved school climate, lack of transition support and shortages of specialized staff.
Speakers at public comment during the Lawrence Public Schools meeting told the School Committee they are disappointed and concerned after the district issued a nonrenewal notice to Frost Elementary Principal Dan Thornton.
"It's incredibly disheartening to hear that we are losing one of our most valuable and impactful staff members at our school," said Taisha Hernandez, a parent and advocate at 33 Hamlet Street, who addressed the board during public comment. Hernandez said Thornton joined Frost during a period of instability and "has made a significant and positive difference" for students, families and staff.
Several Frost staff echoed that view. Teacher Brianna Tyrone said Thornton "gained the respect of his staff, students, and families" in the single year he led the school and described the community as "grieving" his departure. Teacher Rebecca Rudell said Thornton "lived" the superintendent's stated commitment to collaboration and said the change "shattered" staff morale. School counselor Emily Cromer told the board Frost staff teach students to "speak out for what's right" and said staff who advocate for students are being penalized: "We are being punished for speaking out for what's right."
Speakers also raised staffing and support concerns at Frost. Cromer said Frost lacked an educational team facilitator at the start of the year, had multiple interim ETF assignments, and lost a BCBA assignment the day before school began. Both teachers and parents said they had not seen evidence of consistent mentoring or transition supports for Thornton when he started after two prior leaders left.
Board members did not engage in back-and-forth during public comment; the chair reminded attendees that the board listens but does not respond during that portion of the meeting. No board action related to Frost principal employment was taken or announced in the meeting minutes presented at the session.
Speakers and commenters asked the district for transparency and for information on appeal options and processes for nonrenewal decisions. The transcript shows the superintendent and board acknowledged the comments later in the meeting but did not announce any personnel reversal or formal next steps on Thornton's status during the public session.
The public comment block closed before the board moved on to retiree recognitions, budget items and other business.
