WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education has voted to not offer a contract next school year to a trio of administrators: middle school principal Brad Coon, middle school dean of educational services Kevin Hamilton and athletic director Pete Anderson.
The decision was made during a special board meeting Wednesday and sparked an immediate backlash Thursday, as more than 100 students staged an all-day, sit-down protest in the high school lobby.
The majority of the students were expressing their support for Anderson, but participants said all three administrators have positive virtues that did not warrant their firing.
Board president Mike Bosma, who voted against firing Anderson, said the student reaction is the strongest he’s seen in Three Rivers in the four decades he’s been a part of the district.
He said Superintendent Jean Logan indicated Coon and Anderson were not following her directives, particularly in regards to oversight of faculty and staff.
As for Hamilton, who works with at-risk students, the issue was failing to follow the curriculum, Bosma said.
Bosma said he is concerned voters will take their frustrations out on the district Tuesday, when it is turning to the public for an eight-year, 1.95-mill sinking fund request for building maintenance and other needs.
