Schools
Racial Tensions Boil Over at Marietta School Board Meeting
The popular principal of Marietta High School is being reassigned, and her supporters say it's because she's black.
MARIETTA, GA -- Two people were escorted from Tuesday night's Marietta school board meeting, whose topic was the reassignment of Marietta High School's popular principal, Forestella Taylor.
Taylor, the school's first black principal, is being reassigned as administrator for accountability and program support. Her supporters say she has made a huge difference in the lives of many who attend the school, and they don't want to see her go.
A public comment session was held Tuesday night, and tensions erupted after hours of discussion, reports 11 Alive. The meeting ended with two people being removed from the building after calling the school board racists.
Find out what's happening in Mariettafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Before Tuesday night's meeting, school leaders issued a statement that said, "While some at Marietta High School would like to have Ms. Taylor remain in the role of principal, we believe she has remarkable skills that are beneficial to the high school in addition to the other ten schools in the district."
Taylor's supporters didn't convince the school board to change its mind, however. One member proposed a measure to re-instate Taylor, but it failed 5-2.
Find out what's happening in Mariettafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.