Hopwood launches silent protest

Hopwood Jr. High teachers yesterday wore black bands around their arms to dramatize their protest against a barrage of abuses and assaults inside the campus, particularly the arrest of teacher Timothy Phillip Williams.

The silent protest, according to Hopwood teacher Matthew Wertz, was a show of support for Mr. Williams, who was arrested last week in front of his colleagues and students for allegedly assaulting a student.

The faculty at one point even considered calling in sick for a whole day to display indignation over what they described as the administration’s “wrong” decision in having Mr. Williams arrested.

“Everyone agreed without exception that would be unfair to the students for the teachers not to come to school. Our first obligation is to the students and that’s why we continue to be here,” said Mr. Wertz.

He added it is the least that teachers could do for Mr. Williams since the Hopwood administration is not doing anything to support the teacher.

“He did his job well and for doing what he was supposed to do. He was handcuffed in front of his colleagues and his students, put in a police car, and was detained for 24 hours for doing a good job at a school where we need more people not less doing that,” said the concerned teacher.

A fellow public school teacher who requested anonymity also expressed dismay over the alarming incidents at Hopwood, citing the obviously huge gap between teachers and the administration at the junior high.

“Even a six-year-old can tell you there’s something going on down there. The vice principal calling the police on a teacher without even getting the side of that teacher
— I mean clearly, there is something wrong,” said an irate faculty member.

“I can’t believe that the principal and vice principal at Hopwood are still there,” another teacher commented.

“Why would the vice principal call the police on the teacher at the unruly student who accuses of him of something and doesn’t call the police when a girl accuses someone of sexually harassing her?” he added.

Public School System officials, according to him, are apparently downplaying the issue.

“It’s really bad that I don’t see the commissioner or the Board of Education doing anything,” he complained.

Some faculty members believe that the Hopwood administration should at least pay for the damages the whole incident has caused Mr. Williams.

A group of public school teachers have organized a drive to raise funds for the cost of Mr. William’s legal and other expenses.

“The fundraising is also to cover the pay he won’t be able to receive while he’s on leave,” Mr. Wertz said.

Hopwood Principal Lourdes Mendiola and Vice Principal Vincent Dela Cruz were both unavailable for comment. (MM)