Jan. 15, 2009 — Day-to-day activities on the campus of the John H. Woodson Junior High School are returning to normal following disturbances earlier this week, Government House reported Thursday.
Hundreds of students refused to go to class Monday at Woodson, marching to protest extending the school year and school day to make up for time lost because of excessive heat in the rooms and damage from Hurricane Omar. In the classrooms, teachers were at their desks, but not until 7:45, refusing to work an extra 15 minutes in the morning and an extra half hour in the afternoon. (See "Woodson Jr. High Problems Prompt Walkout, Restraining-Order Request".)
The protests were in reaction to a Department of Education announcement Friday that school hours and the school year would be extended to make up for time lost due to excessive heat in the classrooms and some days lost due to Hurricane Omar in October. (See "Woodson Junior High Back on Full-Day Schedule Starting Wednesday".)
In response to the protests, the Department of Education sought and received a court order enjoining the teachers from any work actions and ordering them to work the revised schedule. (See: "Judge Orders Woodson Teachers to Follow Instructions".)
“We must always put the education of our young people first,” deJongh said in the Government House release. “The decision to extend the school day was made for the benefit of our students who are guaranteed a minimum number of educational hours each school year.”
Superintendent Molloy reported to the governor both faculty and students were complying with the extended school day. The Administration says it is moving ahead on a number of projects at the Woodson campus: air conditioning and electrical upgrades; addressing drainage problems and concerns about the auditorium and cafeteria.
In addition to these upgrades, the Public Works Department is conducting an assessment of additional renovations and rehabilitation work needed at Woodson. This assessment, which Government House says will be completed by March 31, will determine the level of funding and the contractual scope of work necessary to resolve many of the long-standing problems that have plagued the school. For several years now Woodson has had its class scheduled disrupted because of heat, mold, leaks, vermin, an unusable auditorium and other problems with the school facilities. (See "Woodson School to Remain Closed Until August" and "New Fans Fail to Tame Heat at Woodson School".)
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