The day after a scathing report on alleged grade-tampering cast a shadow over his school, Principal Kermit Carolina gathered students and parents around him and ramped up blame on his bosses.
Carolina, who’s heading into his third year as principal of James Hillhouse High School, held a press conference on the steps of his school Tuesday afternoon, the day before students return to class for the academic year.
He defended his reputation against a school board-commissioned report issued Monday night that found him and his staff guilty of “grade tampering” and “preferential treatment” of three student athletes.
Carolina Tuesday repeated his claim of innocence against “baseless allegations.”
“There is no way I would ever set my students up for failure by giving them preferential treatment,” Carolina said. Click here to read about the specific charges and Carolina’s defense.
Carolina has long maintained the investigation, announced in an emergency meeting two days before Christmas, was political retribution for refusing to support the mayor’s reelection run.
Carolina ramped up his remarks Tuesday, accusing Mayor John DeStefano and Superintendent Reggie Mayo of “abuse of power.” Click on the play arrow to hear his remarks.
Carolina and Jefferson.
Carolina’s attorney, Michael Jefferson, called the probe a “witch hunt” at the mayor’s request and urged the crowd to “vote him out.”
Schools spokeswoman Abbe Smith Tuesday declined to respond to the remarks made during the press conference. She said Superintendent Mayo stands by the evidence in the report and believes the probe was necessary to “protect kids.”
The Tuesday Hillhouse event drew dozens of students, parents, staff and other supporters to the steps of the school on Sherman Parkway.
After a full half-hour of remarks, Carolina took questions and then accepted hugs.
Melissa Bailey Photo
Carolina greets supporter Tiann Dailey.
“I know how you can take a kid from all Fs to all As,” mom Tiann Dailey (pictured) told Carolina. She said her son entered Hillhouse as a sophomore with just two credits. Carolina helped him catch up and graduate on time last year.
Carolina “turned my son completely around, 360,” Dailey said.
Mom Sylvia Cooper (in video) said she was “heartbroken” to hear of the report. She said she trusts Carolina would not compromise his ethics. The report is a distraction from the beginning of school and “needs to be put to rest,” she said.
Valerie Cooper and Karaine Holness stopped by on their way to parent orientation to stand behind their principal. Both are Hamden parents who said they chose to send their kids to Hillhouse because of the quality of Carolina’s school.
“He needs parents to support him,” Holness said.
“I don’t think he tampered with grades,” said Holness’ daughter, sophomore Kameron. “A lot of people who go to this school have potential.”
Jesse Hardy, who said he grew up in the Ashmun Street housing projects with Carolina, said he hadn’t heard of the charges until Tuesday. He didn’t believe a word.
“I know his character,” he said of Carolina. “He’s not guilty.”