Barnstable Schools Administrator Fired After Leaving Students On Trip

BARNSTABLE, MA — Hope Taylor, a longtime Barnstable Public Schools employee, was fired after two students were left in Boston after a Belle of the Ball prom dress event last spring.

Taylor and her husband, Alik, as well as Raffaella Almeida, were all placed on leave in the spring, sparking many in the community to urge the district to let them keep their job.

Alik Taylor and Almeida are still with the district, Boston.com reports, but Hope Taylor was fired, though she plans to appeal the decision, according to the Cape Cod Times.

The fired Taylor took to social media to thank the community for their support throughout the process, and during her three decades with the district.

“I came and did a job I was proud of and wanted my community to be proud of me,” she said. “I loved my job and it filled my soul every day. I went to work hoping my decisions were in the best interest of kids and left knowing and hoping I did just that.”

At the time of the event last school year, Alik Taylor is the Project Excel and Dual Enrollment Program Director at the high school, Hope Taylor is an associate principal and Almedia is a guidance counselor.

According to School Committee member Andre King, the trio took 22 students to Boston via school bus while three students also drove themselves. The Boston trip happens annually, as Hope Taylor leads a prom dress drive for students locally to fund the trip.