Parents and students protest to keep principal

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Passionate parents hope to teach school board members a lesson about what they feel is a huge mistake.

Angry Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School parents went to the Broward County School Board, Monday to speak to the superintendent about the firing or re-assignment of their principal Washington Collado.

"I am just one parent," said Scott Ethridge in front of school board members, "but what is sad is that you've lost the trust of over 3,000 students and parents at our school who no longer have faith in your leadership or this board. This is your wake-up call. The principal needs to stay, and you need to lead with facts and conviction or resign. It's your choice."

Students walked out of the high school last week in protest.

Stoneman Douglas High is an A school ranked in the county, state and nation, leaving many to wonder why this principal is being removed. "I know that he is Stoneman Douglas," said Collado's niece Karla Cabral. "That's where his heart is all the way."

The superintendent has changed the way principals are evaluated to a Broward-based test. "Stoneman Douglas is one of our most successful schools," said Robert Runcie. "It's a great community, we need them to focus on their student and student achievement. I can tell you for every parent you find on one end of the fence, you'll find another at the other end. We have to move beyond that."

Parents are not budging and vow to fight to keep their principal, challenging the board. "It's just more words from Runcie," said Ethridge. "The facts are this principal wants to stay at this school, this principal has the highest rankings amongst his peer group. I don't understand why he's being terminated."

Superintendent Runcie said only 12 principles are being affected. There are bout 230 principles throughout Broward County. He said this is just creating a distraction. However, the students plan to walk out again on Tuesday.

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