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Parents deliver petition, urge transparency after preschool principal non‑renewal
Summary
More than 300 local signatures were presented to the board asking for clearer communication after the non‑renewal of the preschool principal; parents requested a formal transition plan, parent representation on future hiring committees and assurances that specialized preschool programs will be preserved.
Multiple parents and community members used the public comment period at the June meeting to press the school board for greater transparency and parent involvement after the non‑renewal of the preschool principal.
Anna Rivera, who identified herself as a resident, said she submitted signatures from more than 300 South Plainfield residents and asked the board to "update its process to better partner with its stakeholders," arguing that sudden non‑renewals erode trust.
"We gathered these signatures because this community overwhelmingly supported the standard of excellence, open communication, and civility that the preschool principal brought to our school," Rivera said.
Edia Diaz said parents first learned about the leadership change by searching May meeting minutes and asked that the district notify parents before a position is publicly posted, while acknowledging confidentiality constraints. An additional parent speaker urged that future searches include parent representatives on interview committees and pointed to neighboring districts and professional search firms that incorporate stakeholders.
Chelsea Bonsenor, a 21‑year classroom teacher in a neighboring district, told the board that frequent principal turnover creates "administrative whiplash" for short‑term preschool programs and asked that the district release a formal transition plan, organize a parent meet‑and‑greet over the summer, and commit to preserving specialized preschool programs such as the adoption event and Tiny Tigers.
Ruth Pacheco summarized the group's outreach, saying the petition included 300 South Plainfield residents and 513 signatures in total, and offered the parents’ help with the transition.
A board member thanked speakers and said the board would take the comments under advisement but could not provide a public response for confidentiality reasons; the board agreed to follow up when appropriate.
No formal action was taken during public comment; parents asked for written transition plans, more direct communication from the superintendent in future cases, and the addition of parent participation on hiring committees.
