Students Protest Teacher's Resignation

This article was originally published at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Students in the Band showed up at Tuesday night's meeting of the to protest the resignation of their teacher, Scott Sutherland.

In a comment posted on Patch, Sutherland said he was given the choice to resign or be dismissed after receiving a low score on his evaluation. He believes the low score was due to an "impassioned" email he sent to school administrators in December after he discovered an acoustic band shell would not be in place in the auditorium in time for the band's concert.

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Since the announcement of his resignation—he actually resigned in March—at the end of the school year, parents and students have taken to social media and Patch to discuss their displeasure.

To express their support of Sutherland, members of the Parras Band played before the open session of Tuesday's school board meeting, and numerous students spoke during the meeting's allotted discussion time.

"(Sutherland) put me on the right path to … give me a better chance at becoming a more proficient music player," one student told the school board. "He's definitely worth fighting for."

Other students agreed, calling Sutherland "the best Parras has to offer" and an "inspiration."

"I think Mr. Sutherland is a great teacher and an inspirational person," student Cole Wheeler told those assembled. "I understand he made a mistake, and it wasn't right what he did, but I think he deserves a second chance…

"He is sorry for what he has done."

Dan Zenka, one of the parents spearheading the movement to reinstate Sutherland, also spoke to the board about what he called a "very important issue."

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"(The students) are deeply concerned about their future classes and the fate of their band program," Zenka said.

Zenka, who has also posted about the situation on Patch, said the email in question expressed anger at the fact that only one person in the district could install the band shell and requested Sutherland be trained.

"(Sutherland) took the initiative to write the email, offer a solution … and suggest he and others would like to be trained," said Zenka, who also said Sutherland had downloaded the manual for the band shell.

Patch has requested a copy of the email from Sutherland; he said last week he would speak with his representatives about sharing it.

"(Sutherland) merely wants to teach music to receptive and talented students in our district," Zenka said. "We hope … you reinstate Mr. Sutherland to his position without delay."

Though Sutherland attended the meeting, he did not speak.

After listening to the students and a couple of parents speak, school board Vice President Laura Emdee read a statement to those assembled.

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"We've read every letter," she said. "We've heard your statements, and we completely understand your frustration."

Nevertheless, she emphasized that personnel matters are confidential.

"We ask that you respect our judgment on this matter," she said. "Please know that all personnel matters are given serious thought and consideration."

No students or parents spoke against Sutherland at the meeting.