Barnstable High School associate principal's status decided after school trip foul-up

HYANNIS— An associate principal at Barnstable High School has been fired for her role in an April 6 school field trip to Boston that left two students stranded there.

Supportive community members, though, want her back at the school.

"I am here to recommend that Hope Taylor be retained or brought back into her position," said community member Nancy Thompson at a Barnstable School Committee meeting Wednesday.

"She is revered. She is beloved. I think removing her is a very unkind act," Thompson said.

Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern placed Taylor on leave on April 8 , along with the other two chaperones on the trip — Alik Taylor, who is Hope Taylor's husband and the Project Excel and Dual Enrollment Program Director at the high school, and Raffaella Almeida, a school counselor.

In an Aug. 12 email, Ahern declined to comment on the employment status of Hope Taylor, Alik Taylor and Almeida.

The three staff members left two students behind after a Belle of the Ball prom dress selection event on April 6 at the John B. Hynes Veterans Convention Center in Boston. The outing was a school-sponsored field trip on a school bus.

The two students were brought back to the Cape later that day by organizers of the Belle of the Ball.

The high school had 1,756 students in the school year that just ended.

Taylor was among five associate principals at the high school, according to the district website.

When the Times contacted Taylor by text, she said she was planning to appeal. In a post on her personal Facebook page , Taylor thanked the community for their support.

"I came and did a job I was proud of and wanted my community to be proud of me," said Taylor in the Aug. 18 post. "I loved my job and it filled my soul every day. I went to work hoping my decisions were in the best interest of kids and left knowing and hoping I did just that."

In June, a show of support for Taylor

At a Barnstable School Committee meeting in June, about 20 people spoke in favor of keeping the couple at the high school. Several also said they worry about a lack of diversity of educators and staff members within Barnstable High School in particular.

There are 8.5 African American teachers at the high school, and 15.5 Black teachers in the entire district, according to state records. In contrast, the agency reports that roughly 50% of students at the high school identify as non-white .

Both Hope Taylor and Alik Taylor identify as African American.

Almeida has not returned calls from the Times requesting comment.

Again, a call for Hope Taylor to return

Danielle Hill, a 30-year Barnstable resident, said at Wednesday's School Committee meeting that children she knows fear entering Barnstable High School without Hope Taylor present in the building.

"Because they feel that their voices have been silenced by her absence," said Hill. She's concerned about dismissals of educators and staff of color at the high school.

"There have been three in the last 14 months and that is extremely disturbing considering the diversity of the student body," said Hill. "I would argue that by dismissing Hope Taylor, you are eliminating a very precise slice of the student body when it comes to their optimal learning."

At the meeting, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Cape Cod President Lynne Rhodes offered support for Taylor. Following the meeting, in a statement, Rhodes said further investigation into Hope Taylor's termination is being considered during her appeal.

"True justice will prevail," said Rhodes. "The decision should reflect the best interests of the entire Barnstable High School student body."

School staff members have a right to appeal personnel decision, School Committee member Andre King said at the Wednesday meeting. "In an arbitration process, it takes time. But the state will be the final decider," said King.

A future demonstration of commitment

Near the end of the meeting on Wednesday, Ahern said she doesn't believe she could provide an adequate response to demonstrate her sensitivity toward the feelings of students, families and staff about Hope Taylor.

"My words probably ring hollow," said Ahern. "I look forward to demonstrating actions in the future including with the School Committee through things like the district improvement plan to demonstrate my commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging."

Could a bill help improve diversity at local schools?

The Educator Diversity Act that currently sits on the floor of the House and the Senate on Beacon Hill aims to diversify the state's teacher workforce, King said at the meeting. If passed, the bill would require school systems to increase teacher diversity through recruitment, residency, and grant programs.

New research shows that the gap between educators of color and students of color is widening, according to Latinos for Education , which was founded in Boston.

It's Hill's intent, she said, to shine a light what she says are discriminatory practices of hiring and firing at Barnstable High School.

"I will do everything in my power to personally and passionately effect change of whatever policy it is that has led to this disturbing trend and swung the pendulum of diversity and inclusion in the absolute wrong direction," said Hill.

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com . Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Barnstable High School associate principal's status decided after school trip foul-up