Parents and teachers urge Mount Diablo Unified to reinstate principals at Riverview and Pleasant Hill

Dozens of parents, teachers and staff urged the Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education on April 16 to reverse personnel decisions affecting two elementary/middle school principals, saying the changes risk destabilizing Title I campuses.

Speakers from Riverview Middle School and Pleasant Hill Elementary presented a staff letter, petitions and personal accounts asserting that current principals had improved school climate and student supports. They asked the board to reconsider decisions that would remove or not reappoint the principals.

The appeals centered on two separate personnel matters. At Riverview Middle School, teachers and community members spoke in support of Principal Lori Clark, saying her leadership improved attendance, reduced suspensions and stabilized staffing. Cori Lynch Grant, identified in public comment as a teacher with more than 20 years’ experience, said Clark’s leadership “has improved Riverview in nearly every measurable way” and asked the board to “reconsider the decision to remove Ms. Lori Clark as principal.” Jennifer Smith read a letter she said was signed by 30 Riverview staff describing Clark’s “sense of calm, purpose, and direction” and urging the board…