Concerned parents and teachers packed Monday’s Grand Rapids Public Schools Board meeting to call for the suspension of district leadership after “mishandling” the aftermath of the May 21 shooting outside Alger Middle School.
“This is a disgrace,” said Bianca Bridgeforth, the mother of 13-year-old Javeon Childrey who was shot outside his school, to the board. “Nobody heard me, but I see what goes on behind the doors. I see how the children act, I see the anxiety that we have, the lack of security. … It's not fair to my baby. It's not fair to us. It's not fair to the community. It's not fair to other parents. Y'all have to step up with us. It ain't about racism, it's about fairness.”
Bridgeforth’s son was injured by another student on May 21 at the Alger Park Splash, located on the same block as their school. The two students were friends who managed to leave the school in the middle of the day and the mother told News 8 she believed the shooting to be accidental. However, earlier this month it was announced Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker will be charging the shooter as a juvenile for careless discharge of a firearm and larceny of a firearm.
Jermar Sterling, a Grand Rapids resident who spoke during the unusually long public comment period, which stretched past an hour, specifically named GRPS Deputy Superintendent Brady Lovelady Mitchell as an individual who mishandled the situation. He called for an investigation and for Lovelady’s suspension.
“There are conflicting stories of what may have happened, what the kids may have said and what Lovelady may be saying,” Sterling said. “We're dropping the name out there because we are confident that Lovelady mishandled the entire situation.”
Bridgeforth choked up while she shared what her family experienced, and attendees rose to their feet, some holding “FIX GRPS” signs.
Her son will not be returning back to Alger Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year, Bridgeforth told reporters after the public comment period.
The district declined to comment on Monday’s lengthy public comment period, referring instead to an earlier statement from the district regarding the May 21 shooting.
“Thanks to our dedicated staff and the safety protocols that we have in place, our schools remain among the safest places in our community for our children,” said Larry Johnson, GRPS chief of staff and executive director of public safety and school security, in an earlier statement. “To help ensure that our scholars remain in that safe environment, we have added alarms to exterior doors at Alger Middle School to notify staff when they are opened. Our Public Safety and School Security Department will also continue to work with school leaders to determine when to use metal detectors at building entrances. We strive every day to create places that support our scholars’ emotional, behavioral, mental, and physical health. We are looking forward to the start of school on August 19.”
In recent weeks, multiple concerns about district leadership have arisen after former communications director Leon Hendrix quit earlier this month following his placement on leave.
In March, Hendrix was placed on administrative leave due to accusations from GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby of “rousing discord” among board members and speaking poorly of colleagues in conversations with a community member. Hendrix was going to make his case for reinstatement prior to the board meeting but quit on July 19.
In support of Hendrix, five people wore purple shirts that read “Keep Leon” at the Monday evening meeting, including one that read “should’ve kept Leon.”
GRPS parent Lucas Leverett was among the people in purple and handed out “FIX GRPS” signs before the meeting began. During his public comment, he proposed a solution to those fed up with the board's current behavior.
“Vote. Vote. Vote,” said Leverett. “Vote in board members who will not renew the superintendent's contract, who will reject the butt-out culture promoted by the board president. … The house is on fire and it should burn down and be rebuilt. Vote, Grand Rapids, vote.”
John Williamson, who spoke during the public comment period, voiced concern about the dismissal of Hendrix, saying Roby has “cultivated a toxic work environment” and should resign.
Despite their support, for many parents in attendance, issues with the district go far beyond the termination of Hendrix.
“The issue, I think, tonight for most of us, is well beyond one person being fired or terminated. The issue is that it's so hard for parents, community members and students … to partner with GRPS,” said Jessie Emdin-Hill, a parent of elementary school students.
Another issue mentioned Monday night was the pay and treatment of teachers. Many community members, such as Rachel Westerhof, vocalized their concerns, calling on the district to “offer better pay.” The call for better working conditions for teachers was met with snaps of agreement throughout the auditorium.
Congress Elementary School teacher Julie McBride shared during public comment how she feels the district has not provided her the proper tools to allow her kindergarten class to succeed. She noted teachers bear the brunt of parents’ frustrations but are not included in higher level conversations within the district.
“It's going to be hard, as the teachers in the classroom, following through on boundaries that we have set in our handbook, when they're not being followed by the adults [who] are supposed to enforce them,” McBride said to the board.
Michaela Kuhl, a former GRPS teacher, shared she was denied a leave of absence due to too many teacher vacancies, which led to her resignation. Kuhl shared when she decides to return to the field, it will not be at GRPS.
When public comment period closed, the majority of those in attendance left and the board resumed with their regularly scheduled meeting.
The 2024-25 school year is set to begin on Aug. 19.
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