Parents and students plead to keep Carver principal after low-performance designation

Parents, students and community leaders from Doctor George Washington Carver Academic Elementary packed the Board of Education chamber to protest a state listing of persistently low-performing schools and to urge the district not to remove their principal or take actions that could lead to closure.

Multiple speakers recounted the principal—9s hands-on support and the school—9s gains. "She is our foundation," parent Angelie Robinson Harris said of Principal Wade Thompson, adding that the principal provides urgent help to families and organizes activities that benefit students. Several students addressed the board directly about the principal—9s role in their success.

Superintendent Garcia responded to the concern and publicly denied a widely circulated rumor: "We're never—1—we've never had a discussion about closing your school," he said, while acknowledging the state—9s identification of persistently low-performing schools and noting the district was studying options and seeking clarification on state interventions.

Board members said staff would follow up with direct community meetings in Carver—9s neighborhood to clarify options and next steps; several commissioners suggested the district pursue legislative or city partnerships to protect hard-to-staff or high-need schools in future budgets.

Why it matters: The public outcry highlights the local consequences of state accountability actions and how community trust and leadership continuity are central to parents and students. The board committed to further meetings with Carver families to explain the process and explore supports.

Next steps: District staff said they will meet at Carver to discuss the state designation and the district—9s options; board members asked for continued community engagement before final decisions are taken.