Petition calls for Macon principal to resign, alleges longtime misconduct. What we know

Former and current Bibb County Schools stakeholders are calling for a high school principal to step down from her five-year leadership role.

Over 450 people have signed an online change.org petition against Rutland High School Principal Wendy Pooler, with parents and other school community members claiming to have faced hostile school environments and administrative misconduct during her tenure.

Angelica Angel, Macon resident and creator of the petition, said the community has to step up and be a voice for the students, including her two children.

“This misbehavior has been going on for a long time, and everything’s being ignored by the superintendent,” Angel said, adding that school officials haven’t responded to complaints she filed in August. “We just want some type of action taken because it’s not fair. These kids are our future, so we need somebody that treats all of them equally.”

Amanda Faircloth said she signed the petition because Pooler allegedly failed to ensure that her son Hunter’s Individualized Education Program and 504 plan were implemented. The plans guarantee that students in need receive specialized accommodations.

She also said Pooler often scrutinized her son’s academic performance in front of other students.

“He wanted to give up,” Faircloth said. “I had to go all throughout the night wondering if he was going to harm himself because of what she was doing to his self-esteem.”

Hunter had only been at the school for about two months before Faircloth transferred him in 2022 to another school, where he thrived academically, she added.

Macon resident Lakeyra Finney commented, “You have to treat kids with respect as well. They are human. You can’t be (an) authority figure and mistreat people’s kids.”

Angel suggested that the hostile environment that Rutland High students experience could be contributing to the district’s chronic student absenteeism problem.

“A lot of these kids aren’t in a great home environment, and the schools should be their safe haven. So, for kids to hate school this much lets you know that something is going on,” she said.

The Bibb County School District declined last week to address any allegations or the possibility of opening an investigation into Pooler, and said neither Pooler or Superintendent Dan Sims would be available for interview.

“The district has formal processes to address grievances and complaints. Student complaints are reviewed by the Office of Student Affairs, and any staff-related complaints are reviewed by the Office of Human Resources,” district spokesperson Stephanie Hartley said in an email.

Rutland High teacher turnover

Pooler’s behavior toward staff has also prompted teachers to leave the high school over the years, district stakeholders, Faircloth and other district stakeholders said.

Ninety-seven full-time and part-time educators left Rutland High School between 2019 and 2024, according to GADOE data obtained through an open records request. The reasoning for teachers’ departures wasn’t included in the data.

Pooler became principal of Rutland High School in 2019 after serving as the school’s assistant principal.

Data also shows that 42% of 57 teachers did not return to the school during the 2024 fiscal year, the largest number of educators to depart in the past eight years. The fewest number of teachers, six, left in 2017.

Data from the Bibb County School District differs slightly, indicating 91 instructors left the high school. But in data from both agencies, the trend of an increasing number of educators leaving recently is consistent with the provided state data.

The BCSD is currently working to increase its overall teacher retention rate, which has fluctuated over the past four years and reflects a nationwide issue.

Julia Daniely, former principal of VIP Academy, urged the community to address the issue at an upcoming board meeting.

“Leadership is a critical concern in our Nation. This issue needs to be addressed. Maybe a mediation to hear from the leader and stakeholders. Silence is not the answer. The relationship builds with the conversation,” she commented on the petition.

Positive Trends at Rutland

Despite the allegations, Rutland High School has recently shown positive academic trends.

The school was recognized in October for its 2024 graduation rate soaring to 93.37% from last year’s 85.5%.

Rutland’s graduation rate has increased each year under Pooler’s leadership, while its student dropout rate has fluctuated below the initial rate in 2018, according to data from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.

Macon parents coming forward

Sixty percent of the petition’s supporters reside in Macon, Warner Robins and Perry — with the top zip codes being 31216, 31206 and 31204, according to the website.

Kenia Vargos said she signed the petition because Rutland High administration, including Pooler, did not respond timely to concerns about her daughter’s depression or provide adequate resources on how to address it.

“It’s been overwhelming,” she said after mentioning that she un-enrolled her daughter this school year.

Faircloth said she was relieved when the petition surfaced recently because she stayed silent about past issues with Pooler out of fear of retaliation against her son.

“At the time I felt like I was alone,” Faircloth said. “But now I know that my child isn’t the only victim of her negligence. She does not need to be working with children of any sort.”

Angel said she is not giving up and is willing to take the issue to state officials if necessary.

“If we don’t give the kids a voice, then who will?” Angel said. “I want (school officials) to be held accountable and look into these accusations—not just sweet talking us.”

This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM.