Recently updated on April 27th, 2023 at 12:06 am

On Friday April 21st, around 100 students from Princeton High School marched to the Valley Road, where the district office is located, to express their concerns about the dismissal of Principal Frank Chmiel.

RealPPS learned that during the school day, prior to the walkout, Kelley made two attempts to meet with student organizers via a PHS administrator. Though a student leader was pulled out of class twice to field these requests, all students declined to meet. Despite mixed messages from school administrators, students still walked out, although some who planned to participate did not. These students feared the consequences of being marked absent from class and possible administrative retaliation.

The students who marched to Valley Road were shocked when the administrative staff shut all the window blinds on the first-floor level. Instead of appearing to the group, District Superintendent, Carol Kelley, allowed seven students into the district office to discuss their concerns for over an hour. The meeting was described by the students as unproductive and lacking in genuineness.

According to students who attended the meeting, Kelley often evaded questions about Chmiel’s dismissal by shifting subjects or citing the Board of Education’s involvement in the decision. Some students also felt belittled by Kelley’s responses, and several students cited moments of intimidation. The meeting left many students frustrated and disappointed. The district’s Public Information Officer, Elizabeth Collier, was also present throughout the meeting.

After the meeting with Superintendent Kelley, a district employee uninvitedly followed these students back to Princeton High School. This employee singled out one of the students and questioned the student for nearly an hour regarding the meeting at Valley Road. The questions probed the student’s perception of the meeting with Kelley, personal knowledge of Chmiel’s level of support, and his plans moving forward. The individual made a point to apologize for Kelley’s behavior towards the students during the meeting, and inquire whether the student felt the Board of Education really supported Kelley.

The student was quoted as feeling “uncomfortable, intimidated, and concerned about the conversation.” “It was especially intimidating that the person called me out by name and asked for my contact information.” Upon the student’s hesitation the representative responded “never mind, I can look you up.”

RealPPS is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Editor’s notes:

  • The walkout was completely organized by the students without any prior planning or coordination with any outside group or individual. There are multiple student witnesses to all events mentioned herewith.
  • All the quotes in this article have been signed off by the parents of the students quoted.

Related Report

The Daily Princetonian: Firestorm erupts at Princeton High School over principal’s unexplained removal