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Students deliver petition opposing teacher transfer, urge board to reverse decision
Summary
Two Northern Garrett High School seniors presented a 672-signature petition at the June 9 board meeting asking the board to reverse an involuntary transfer of a science teacher; they allege the move conflicts with board policy and undermines instructional continuity.
Two rising seniors from Northern Garrett High School asked the Garrett County Board of Education on June 9 to reverse an involuntary teacher transfer and to change placement policies they say prioritize budget convenience over instructional continuity.
Henry Falner, who identified himself as a rising senior, told the board he was presenting a petition with 460 online signatures plus a hand-signed copy of 212 student signatures, a total of 672, opposing the transfer of a science teacher from Northern Garrett to Southern High/Middle. Falner said the teacher provides advanced coursework, including AP physics, and that the transfer will “overburden our other teachers and force them into unfamiliar teaching areas.” He told the board the assigned teacher would face a substantially longer commute: "This transfer is going to force them to drive nearly an hour and a half to Southern each way every single day," he said.
Emma Bernson, also a rising senior, said the transfer has eroded community confidence in the board and described repeated attempts to get answers via email as unsuccessful. "When students, parents, teachers, and community members organize, sign petitions, speak publicly and make their concerns unmistakably clear only to watch the board appear ready to move forward regardless, it sends a destructive message," she said.
Board response and process note: The board president reminded speakers that the board does not take action based on public comment at the same meeting. No reversal or board action on the transfer was recorded during the June 9 public session.
What the students requested: Falner and Bernson asked the board to reverse the transfer, revise placement policy to prioritize merit over seniority, and publicly commit to preserving academic programs they say are threatened by budget-driven changes.
Status: The petition and speakers’ materials were submitted to the board; according to the transcript, the board did not take immediate action but will consider public input in future deliberations as allowed under board procedure.
