Students stage protest at THS after two coaches are fired

By: 
MEGAN LINSKI

Over 100 students gathered for a sit-in protest at Tecumseh High School (THS) on November 24. Students said they objected to the recent firing of coaches Eddy Foley and Scott Norkey. Photo by Mickey Alvarado.

Approximately 120 students staged a sit-in protest at Tecumseh High School (THS) on Tuesday, Nov. 24 to protest  the termination of coaches  Eddy Foley and Scott Norkey. Students said they were not given a reason as to why either coach was let go.

Superintendent Kelly Coffin said both Foley and Norkey are employed through Professional Educational Services Group (PESG), and that Tecumseh Public Schools (TPS) asked that they be reassigned within the organization for personnel reasons. Eddy Foley was the IT Director for TPS as well as the varsity boys cross county team coach. Foley also coached boys track. Scott Norkey was the varsity boys basketball coach.

The protest began at 7:45 a.m. before the first class of the day, in the hallway in front of the THS library. Students began the protest by sitting on the floor before gathering chairs from the library.

The protest was quiet and peaceful. During the protest, students were asked to move their chairs from the center of the hall in order to clear the walkways. Students obliged with instruction to move their chairs to the side as not to obstruct their classmates from continuing to their classes. Many of the students who participated in the protest were athletes. Officers from the Tecumseh Police Department arrived during the protest. The officers went into the main office, but did not address the sit-in.

An hour into the protest, students who participated in the sit-in were asked to disband. Students were given the option to return to class or leave the premises. Many chose to leave.

Coffin said she did not view the event as a protest, but a way for students to have their voices heard. “We knew it was going to happen,” Coffin said. “The kids decided they wanted to support staff that impacted their lives, and it’s important that student voices are heard. We respect and acknowledge that. I had a sit-in over an issue when I was in high school, and my school was very supportive as well. We’re here to help all kids. Many students spoke with Principal Mills and thanked him for the opportunity to be heard. I didn’t see it as a protest, but a life experience.”

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Tecumseh Herald

 

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