Macomb Today

Trying to find an adequate principal for Eastpointe Community High School continues to elude the Eastpointe School District.

For the fifth consecutive year, the district will enter the next school year looking for a new leader for the campus.

District officials heard from Principal Asenath Jones during the public comment portion of their May 8 Board of Education meeting. Jones, who has 26 years of experience as an educator, discussed the board’s decision to not renew her contract for the upcoming school year.

At its March 30 meeting, the board voted unanimously against renewing Jones’ contract. Per school code, Jones noted that she is allowed to have a board hearing.

“I did ask that I not have a closed hearing in front of the board and instead I chose to come to you today,” she said in the meeting, explained her decision to have a public hearing.

Jones added that during her year at the helm of leading the school, she was never made aware that her performance was unsatisfactory, which would have made her aware that her tenure was in jeopardy.

“I do believe that I have not been given due process,” she said.

Jones also voiced her ongoing commitment to the school, the teachers and the students at the high school.

“What I did do is ask a lot of questions,” Jones said to the board. “I did step up to participate in my union. I did meet with my colleagues, and we discussed methods that were happening to us, such as inequitable activities, abusive language, hostile work environments, all things that we presented to central office with only one ask, and that was to have equity training. That equity training still has not happened.”

Students who approved of Jones' guidance showed their displeasure with the board’s decision by walking out of class on May 10 in protest, according to Macomb Daily report. Approximately 100 students stood in the parking lot and shouted that they wanted to “keep Ms. Jones,” while others opened windows to the school and joined the chorus of support.

Students told local news sources they appreciated Jones and felt that she was an advocate for not only their academic success but also their well-being.

Jones did not ask the board to change their decision, but she did ask them to remove the negative comments they made in her dismissal notice.

“I wish my staff to know that I do not want to leave you, although I feel like I'm forced to leave you,” she said. “I think that leaving someone requires a lot of effort. Our children deserve better than a revolving rotating door as soon as they get established. They need and desire more than that.”

The board did not respond to Jones' comments during the hearing. Reports revealed that she was dismissed on the day of the protest and placed on administrative leave until July 31, when her contract expires.