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Franklin Pierce speakers allege discriminatory discipline at Ford Middle School as board approves reductions of educational programming
Summary
Students, parents and union leaders told the Franklin Pierce School Board that Ford Middle School’s discipline and administrative practices are punitive and disproportionately affect students of color; the board voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 25-R-03 to reduce educational programming, which the superintendent said will eliminate "somewhere south of 10" positions.
Chair opened the May board meeting and the public comment period drew a lengthy set of personal accounts about discipline at Ford Middle School and a broader plea to halt staff reductions.
Several speakers described repeated discipline and unequal enforcement at Ford. Jennifer Newman told the board the school’s approach "is racist, punitive, and deeply harmful," arguing that punitive, exclusionary punishments and micromanaged behavior expectations are driving families out of the district. Eleven-year-old Anthony (AJ) Johnson said he felt "haunted" at school, described being followed by staff, and said he received lunch detention even when he had not done anything wrong. Twelve-year-old Xavier Littleton recounted racial slurs and incidents that he said were not taken seriously by staff, and his mother, Latonya Littleton, urged the board to consider his testimony as it balances the budget and staffing decisions for the next school year.
TJ Johnson, president of the Franklin Pierce Education Association, told trustees the union’s data indicate staff and students of color experience microaggressions and retaliation and said those harms contribute directly to declining enrollment and staffing instability. He called on the board to investigate building-level complaints and hold administrators accountable, saying in part that "If leadership continues to ignore this harm, we will call on this board who we elected to hold the superintendent accountable."
Board leadership acknowledged the speakers and the difficulty of their testimony and asked the families to provide written copies of their remarks so staff can follow up. Superintendent Goodpaster told the board that the district’s action on staffing reflects current and projected enrollment, and cautioned that the alignment "will lead to somewhere south of 10 fewer positions." The board moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 25-R-03, titled "Reduction of Educational Programming." The motion as moved was "that the board of directors adopt Resolution 25-R-03, reduction of educational programming." The motion was seconded and the resolution was approved.
What the action means in practice was not fully detailed during the meeting. Trustees and staff discussed that the reductions align staffing to enrollment projections, but the specific job titles, grade levels, or programs affected were not listed at the public meeting. The superintendent and staff indicated additional implementation steps and follow-up would occur after the resolution
The meeting closed with staff asking community members to submit written materials and the board noting it will direct the superintendent or designee to follow up on concerns raised during public comment. The board reconvened after an executive session and adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
