Marietta High class president: We want principal back

The reassignment of the Marietta High School principal has upset parents and students and led to a tense school board meeting this week. Speakers charged racism in the transfer of Forrestella Taylor, the first African-American to lead the school, to a newly created central office post.

Teachers rose to attest to Taylor’s effectiveness as a leader. Still, a board motion to reinstate Taylor failed 5-2. Taylor becomes the district administrator for accountability and program support for Marietta City Schools, beginning July 1. Taylor will “provide oversight in our accountability practices,” said superintendent Emily Lembeck in a statement, because of “the increase of district requirements from the Georgia Department of Education.”

The senior class president is calling foul in the removal of Taylor. “I know there are legitimate reassignments within school systems, but this does not appear to be the case with Mrs. Taylor who has made a real difference at MHS. She is passionate about her work, encouraging to students, and demonstrates a leadership style that is collaborative,” says Livi Simone Grant, who has been awarded a Presidential Scholarship to attend Florida A&M University.