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Hopwood teachers welcome PSS’ decision
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Posted on May 24 2000
Petitioners seeking the ouster of Hopwood Junior High School Principal Lourdes Mendiola yesterday welcomed the decision by the Public School system to transfer the embattled school official beginning next school year.
Fifty-one teachers and staff who met the other night after acting Education Commissioner Louise Concepcion reached a conclusion on Mrs. Mendiola’s case, said they are not likely to appeal the decision.
“The consensus is pretty much the same between all of us. Everything looks like it will not be appealed by the teachers because the decision is acceptable,” said 7th grade social studies teacher Matthew Wertz.
The petitioners, however, had something to say about the way the conclusion was presented.
Mr. Matthews said the PSS administration was far “too kind” to the principal, citing statements of praise and apologies in the 12-page decision.
Signatories to the petition also do not agree to several portions of the decision, particularly a finding which described the allegations as “lacking in merits.”
“They were not without merit. They were simply without paper work,” said Mr. Matthews, referring to undocumented cases of assaults and abuses inside the campus.
Up to now, petitioners stand firm that those abuses did happen and that nothing has been done to address it.
Mr. Matthews also assailed the way the alleged sexual assault incident, which happened in one of the classrooms, was dismissed like it never happened.
“It was dealt with in two sentences which was completely unclear,” he added.
Nevertheless, Hopwood teachers and staff look forward to the next school year under the direction of a new principal.
“This is what we wanted from the very beginning. I just wish they decided on this more expediently. I believe that there is going to be a great change in the school next year,” the teacher said.
Mrs. Mendiola was reached for comment but was not available. (MM)
