DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – Parents and students planned a protest Tuesday after a popular principal at their Dearborn Heights high school was suddenly suspended.
“He’s the epitome of everything you want in a principal.”
Over and over, parents like Tiffany Perez gave high praise to Annapolis High School Principal Aaron Mollett, who was suddenly suspended last week, and neither parents nor students know why.
“We want our principal back, and we’re not going to stop until Mr. Mollett is back at Annapolis,” said parent Iesha Brassell.
The students plan to walk out in protest of his suspension at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9. The district only says it is a personnel matter, and have emailed parents to let them know the students are planning a walkout.
Compounding all of this is the suicide of a student last week.
“Nobody has had the opportunity to grieve the loss of their friend, and then to have this happen, it’s like a wham-bam,” Perez said.
The students feel they have an advocate in Mollett.
“He’s always been there for me when I’m going through mental health issues or just when I needed someone to talk to,” said sophomore Angel Wineless.
Students say he greets them at the door every day.
“He checks in on every single one of us,” said sophomore Gabrielle Mitchell.
They feel like their anchor has been yanked away. The fear now is that the suspension will become permanent.
“Mr. Mollett needs to come back,” said parent Kia Riggins. “He needs to come back immediately.”