NEWMARKET Roughly 50 high school students walked out of class Friday morning to protest the extended absence of Junior-Senior High School Principal Chris Mazzone.
The students said Mazzone has been out of the building since Nov. 1. They said they were upset, in part, with the fact, because of his absence, Mazzone was unable to attend the girls soccer teams state semifinal and championship games, as a well as the boys soccer championship game, which saw the Mules capture their first boys soccer state championship since 1983, according to NHIAA records.
No one knows why he isnt in school, said senior Colby Foster. Mr. Mazzone is a caring, loving person. He knows all the students personally and understands what we all like.
Calls Friday to SAU 31 Superintendent Susan Givens were not returned. On Nov. 14, Givens declined to state if Mazzone was on administrative leave.
Many of the students who walked out Friday protested for the duration of the school day in the rain. They were told by administrators that if they were going to remain outside they would need to leave the cover of the schools new awning and stand on the sidewalk along South Main Street and the grass patches on the front lawn.
Students interviewed said school has not been as enjoyable during Mazzone's absence. They said they would accept any discipline for truancy and added they were willing to walk out of class again if Mazzones status is not addressed.
We understand were not going to find out why Mr. Mazzone was placed on leave, said junior Morgan Hock. We wanted to be out here today to show him how much we support him.
He stands at the front door every day to welcome us to school and say good morning, said junior Jake Tobin.
Freshman Abby Bentley said Mazzone was instrumental in helping her organize a sit-in protest in the cafeteria against gun violence two years ago.
Mr. Mazzone will support any student who goes to him who wants to do some project for the school, Bentley said. Its not the same in school without his support.
Senior Brendon Barnes was not one of the students who walked out of class. He said students who remained inside the building were called to mandatory assembly.
Assistant Principals Sarah Denham and Jennifer DeStefano issued a letter to parents Friday afternoon stating they held a school-wide assembly to use the protest as a teachable moment. They also stated the school requested an additional police presence to keep students who were protesting outside safe. They also contacted parents of students who did not go inside the building.
We invited (the students) to come in and share their thoughts with us, their letter read. Although most of the students did not want to do that, the superintendent was on site and spoke with them briefly outside encouraging them to come into the building. We took the opportunity to come together as a community in a whole school assembly to use this as a teachable moment.
Givens issued a letter to parents Nov. 14 stating Mazzone was still an employee of the district but did not state a reason explaining his prolonged absence.
Like any organization, attendance and other personnel matters are not topics that are discussed in public for many reasons including an employees right to privacy, Givens letter read.
During Thursday nights School Board meeting, a parent stated in public that Mazzone has been placed on leave and was not given a reason. She said his continued absence is negatively affecting morale at the school.
"While I agree it is none of anyones business why Mr. Mazzone is out, it is his, said parent Nicole Roy Tobin. And to this day, he has not been given a reason why he is on leave... Im here to express how deeply disappointed I am in the complete lack of empathy demonstrated in these actions.
Others who spoke during public comment, including students, voiced unwavering support for Mazzone as principal.
School Board Chairman Mike Kennison said because Mazzones absence was a personnel matter the board is not at liberty to discuss his absence publicly and appealed for the communitys patience.
I like Chris, we all do, Kennison said during the meeting. You all know us. Every one of us here has one or more kids in that building, so we literally have skin in the game, too. I think you need to have a little faith in us I hope weve built up enough goodwill over the years here with our tireless efforts in our integrity and our transparency.
Parent Jimmy Nigro said the community just wants Mazzone to know the reason why he is not working.
We dont need to know why Mr. Mazzone is out of the building, Nigro said. Its the fact he does not know why he is (on leave) is what we're frustrated by.
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