Students Walk Out Of Classes In Support Of Teacher: 'Bring Him Back!'

GREENPORT, NY — Holding signs and chanting "Bring him back!" dozens of students from the Greenport Union Free School District staged a walk-out Thursday morning in support of a teacher they say was unfairly put on leave.

The walk-out followed a petition that students have been signing in support of the teacher, who they said was integral to their education.

John Tramontana, who teaches 8th grade math, Algebra 1, and Intro to Algebra, told Patch that he was sent home Friday at the end of the school day.

"I have been 'administratively reassigned to home'. That is their directive," he said. "I was not provided with a reason and I am not sure how long this will last."

No reason has yet been given for Tramontana's reassignment.

Greenport Schools Superintendent Marlon C Small responded to a request for comment on the reasons for the reassignment with a statement: "We strongly support the activism and advocacy of our students. However, I cannot comment on a confidential personnel matter."

Outside the school Thursday, students gave heartfelt testimony to Tramontana's impact on their lives.

"We want him back," one said.

"We want our math teacher back!" another student said. "He's the only thing that's made math make sense in a long time. We're not risking this so close to the Regents."

"We mean no harm," one student's sign said. "Bring Mr. Tramontana back."

"We need him here," another said. "He didn't deserve it."

Other said they need Tramontana back to help them get through finals.

Tramontana said he has taught all levels of math for 22 years and for six years, originated and directed the Shakespeare program — which focused on classical acting and included students from multiple districts — until funding was lost.

One student, Rubi Leon, created a Change.org petition, "Bring Mr. Tramontana Back to Greenport High School."

"It was unprofessional, putting him on leave," she wrote. "He has impacted this whole school over the years of him teaching. He did everything he could to help us students and teachers — and all his intentions were to make this school a better place and a good environment. We want him back."

Tramontana, Rubi told Patch, "is one of many teachers who have wanted to change this school for good. He always found ways of helping his students, whether through extra help or work for extra credit. He has impacted our school so much, in the best way he could."

In addition, Rubi said, Tramontana would try his best to translate everything he said in Spanish for Spanish-speaking students.

"All his intentions were good there was no real reason to put him on leave. I can speak for many students and teachers that we do want him back," she said. "It’s time to stand up for what is right."

Tramontana told Patch that his concern was for the students: "My first priority was and is with the students of Greenport. My hope is that they continue to learn and grow."

When asked if the students would be reprimanded for the walk-out, Small said no, that they were exercising their right to voice their opinions.

"We are proud of them," he said.