The students of Riverview Gardens High School return to class soon, but they won’t be seeing their popular former principal Clem Ukaoma
By Traci Angel
District officials ousted Ukaoma before school was dismissed for the summer despite the backing of students, parents and faculty members (89 of 118 supported Ukaoma). Several students protested the district’s action and walked out. Ukaoma filed a lawsuit, now pending, saying that his rights were violated. He claims that the district remains mum on reasons behind his dismissal and mishandled the situation. We asked Ukaoma for some parting words before he moves to take an assistant-principal position in Wichita, Kan.
- “It’s very disappointing. I feel like I worked my heart out for the community. I regret that people let other issues get in the way of that progress.”
- “It breaks my heart that I was the first black principal [at Riverview] and all I got was two years.”
- “A school district should listen to its children and parents. If you don’t want them to have a voice, don’t involve them.”
- “I had a meeting with the super-intendent and the assistant superintendent, and they talked about my contract not being renewed but said it was business, it wasn’t personal. ... My dad was a businessman, and he said all business was personal. You can decide not to renew someone, but it is only ethical to give a reason.”
- “What touched me about the kids’ reaction was how spontaneous it was and how it kept growing; how articulate and how peaceful they were; and how much they respected their school.”
- “Whatever is wrong with public education will not be solved without including the kids.”
- “My advice to the new principal: Don’t worry about whether you are going to last or not. Put the kids first.”
