RAYMOND, Wis. — A Racine County school board voted 4-1 to consider not renewing its principal's contract despite protests outside of a special meeting Wednesday evening. It comes hours after the school went on a soft lockdown.
The special meeting at Raymond School was scheduled for last week but was adjusted due to threats against school leaders.
Dozens of parents are outside of Raymond School in Raymond supporting their principal before a School Board meeting at 7:30. @tmj4
— Megan Lee (@MeganLeeNews) September 28, 2023
There was a “soft lockdown” earlier today. @MaryJoOlaTV spoke with parents as they were picking up their kids. pic.twitter.com/cpop7PLw1y
Earlier in the day, Raymond School Superintendent Michael Garvey shared a letter sent to families informing them of the "modified soft lock down." It meant students would continue learning in the building but staff would supervise students from class to class and no visitors would be allowed inside the facility.
Parents felt the reasoning for the lockdown was too vague.
- PREVIOUS REPORTING: Raymond 'soft lockdown' lifted after 'possible disruptions'
"They never really gave us a reason. They said I could come pick her up if I wanted to. So it's like that's kind of fishy to me so I did come and pick her up," parent Kristie Drew said.
The amended notice cited several written threats of violence received by school district officials before explaining the public could watch the meeting remotely or in a provided viewing room.
Prior to the meeting, several parents contacted TMJ4 News stating that principal Jeff Peterson's job was on the line.
Many people showed up to the meeting, holding signs that read "Keep Principal Peterson."
Although the meeting was held in a closed room, parents were able to watch in the cafeteria. The meeting went into a closed session just moments after it started.
A former school board member told TMJ4 News she is worried about the transparency within the school.
"They have created suspicion and a lot of things that are done underhandedly, not out in the open like we expect them to be," Kathy Kaprelian said. "As a former school board member, we were very transparent with what we were doing."
Principal Peterson told TMJ4 News he is grateful for the support from parents and people who came out Wednesday night.
Earlier in the day, parent Mitchell Berman said he made an open records request at the office after dropping his daughter off at Raymond School.
Berman maintains that he was polite and the interaction did not escalate but he was escorted out and told the school was going on lockdown.
"I feel like lockdown was more disruptive than any standard open record," Berman stated. "There's a complete lack of transparency. That is completely true. There are many other things that are happening that I don't think people are aware of, and if they came to the board meetings, they would see what's actually going on."
The superintendent has not responded to TMJ4 requests for comment.
When TMJ4 News reached a board member they directed us to their attorney who says the district is working with law enforcement to look into threats and other incidents.
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