Arundel Middle Parents Seek Additional Assistant Principal

Parents of Arundel Middle School students said the addition of a third assistant principal would help bring stability to the school, which has dealt with a handful of discipline concerns this school year. 

Students and teachers echoed the call for help during testimony before the Anne Arundel County Board of Education on Wednesday. 

"Our school is facing safety issues and teacher-stacking issues," said Tracy Mathews, whose daughter attends Arundel Middle School. "This [position] would help our principal be proactive instead of reactive."

In February, a student was cited after allegedly threatening another student with a knife. That same week, a teacher was placed on leave after a confrontation with a student that was caught on video. 

Another student was accused of bringing a knife to the school in September.

The number of assistant principals at middle schools varies, but it is not unusual for schools to have three. MacArthur Middle School, Old Mill Middle School North and Bates Middle School are among those with three assistant principals. 

Currently at Arundel Middle, one assistant principal is assigned to 6th graders, while another is assigned to 7th graders. The two share responsibility for 8th grade.

Parents and teachers said there is also a general concern about bullying and student safety, as well as frequent changes to the teachers of some classes.

Taylor Mathews, an eighth-grader at Arundel Middle, said she wants things to change at the school.

"I know my friends and I don't feel safe at this school," Taylor Mathews said.

Principal Yolanda Clark has met with parents to discuss their concerns, and recently introduced a program called Watch D.O.G.S., geared toward getting fathers involved as volunteers. There has also been discussion about the creation of a safety task force, and has an anti-bullying club. 

In addition to the request for an additional assistant principal, one parent suggested an overhaul of the school's appearance could change how some of the students treat teachers and staff.

"I've heard parents say Arundel Middle looks like a jail, just without the bars," said parent Stacy Montaigne.

She requested the school be put in a priority position for a renovation.