Mar 23, 2009 11:45 pm US/Eastern
Teachers, Parents Want Queens Principal Ousted
Dr. John Murphy Of Junior High School 8 Accused Of Verbally Abusing Those In His Charge, Acting Like Dictator
QUEENS (CBS) ―
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Dr. John Murphy, principal of Junior High School 8 in Jamaica, has been accused of verbally abusing teachers. Protesters gathered on Monday to call for his immediate removal.
CBS
Some angry teachers and parents in Queens are demanding that a controversial principal be removed immediately.
The reason: Dr. John Murphy allegedly verbally abuses his teachers.
To demonstrators that protested Monday morning in South Jamaica, Murphy is an out-of-control principal who runs Junior High School 8 with an iron fist, verbally abusing teachers and other staff. But some teachers and parents disagree.
Last week, a teacher's aide called paramedics after a dressing down by Dr. Murphy. The aide was reportedly treated for headaches, shock symptoms and elevated blood pressure. Other teachers have claimed abuse as well.
"He's done ugly things. I've cried before. But now I refuse to be intimidated," said music teacher David Butler.
"He tells teachers to carry a resignation letter with them at all times so they'll know how disposable and dispensable they are," said teacher David Spraragen.
The principal's union said they are investigating the incident, but the people rallying on Monday are demanding change now, calling on Mayor Michael Bloomberg to remove the principal immediately.
"Will he do something to stop somebody who harasses people enough to send them to the hospital? This is going to be a test of mayoral control," said UFT president Randi Weingarten.
Not everyone is against the principal's leadership philosophy.
"He's teaching teachers tough love. Tough love works for me," said parent Rode Gourdet.
Some parents credit the principal for their children doing well in a school that went from a 'D' grade to a 'B' during the four years that Dr. Murphy has been at the helm:
"Without him, the school would have gone down," said Gourdet.
The local NAACP is holding a meeting Monday night to investigate the principal's possible Civil Rights violations.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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