DETROIT – Students at Jalen Rose Leadership Academy staged a walkout Monday, citing concerns about the direction of the school under new principal Jazmine Allen.
“Today’s walkout was really for students to get a chance to express what they’re going through; students truly feel unheard by staff and administrators alike about what’s going on in this school,” said JRLA Senior Vice President Samiya Thomas.
An online petition calling for Allen’s removal claims she’s jeopardized the academy’s values and principles, driving “many qualified teachers to resignation.”
At Monday (April 14) night’s board meeting, students and parents both expressed concerns about recent firings that have left vacancies.
“I understand that they lost a few teachers; they have gotten substitutes for a lot of the classes,” said Krystal Ballinger.
Her ninth-grade daughter goes to JRLA, and while it was difficult to hear how frustrated some students are, she said she feels the school is doing its best to make a difference.
Students also expressed their upset over a canceled student picnic, a move they say came after Senior Skip Day.
“We received voicemails from the principal as well as an email saying if we didn’t come to school by noon, our prom would be canceled, and our picnic had already been canceled,” said Thomas.
We spoke to Jalen Rose, who confirmed that some teachers had left the school.
The Detroit native said he hears the students loud and clear and will work to address their concerns.
However, the former Michigan Wolverines Fab Five guard said he still believes Allen is the right person to lead the school.
“Stability and leadership are something they’re looking for. I know I have the person right now in Jazmine Allen,” Rose said.
