LAWRENCE — A Lawrence High teacher's job may be on the line for allowing her students to bring home-cooked spaghetti and lasagna into their Italian language class.
More than 100 students packed a School Committee meeting last night, protesting what they called a "firing" of teacher Ileana Bordonaro. Assistant School Superintendent Mary Lou Bergeron said there has been no final decision on Bordonaro's job status.
"They're working to resolve the issue between the teacher and principal," Bergeron said. "Nothing has been decided. They're still looking at it."
Bordonaro was initially interested in talking to The Eagle-Tribune, but declined to return a reporter's telephone calls after consulting with Director for Human Resources Salvatore Petralia before last night's meeting.
Petralia decline to comment, saying it would be improper to talk about a pending personnel matter.
Most of the eight students who addressed the committee last night said they believe Principal Terika Smith fired Bordonaro for allowing her students to bring food to class.
Students said they watched the popular teacher leave the school's International Academy in tears yesterday.
"Bringing food to school ... I think that's a stupid reason for firing her," said Ana Veras, 17, a junior at the school. "The way she was treated was disrespectful ... . She's been a great teacher."
Stephanny Urena, 18, a senior, said she and other students were prevented from helping Bordonaro pack her belongings to leave the school.
"We were trying to say goodbye to her, but were told we were not supposed to be there," she said.
Urena said some students believe Bordonaro was fired because she was angry at the new grading system Smith tried to implement at the International High School.
Under the new system, students were to be given incompletes for grades less than a B-minus. School Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy canceled the new grading system after students complained.
"I saw three teachers today crying because of her. They're scared to talk. But I'm scared of nobody. This is America, isn't it?" she said.
Urena said Smith was not in school when they brought in the Italian food about two weeks ago. She also believes Bordonaro had permission to allow the kids to bring food into the new $110 million high school from the assistant principal.
Smith could not be reached for comment.
Several School Committee members expressed outrage at the most recent controversy to hit the International High School in recent weeks.
"I'm asking the people who have the power to do something about it," said member Martina Cruz. "I'm begging, right now."
Cruz said she was concerned that school administrators had created a bad learning environment with several firings of teachers in recent years.
"We need to sit down and see what's happening ... . We totally forget our customers are students and parents. We created an environment for the teacher where they don't want to come here," she said. "We are creating a bad image of our system."
Several members commended the students for taking enough interest in their school to speak out.
Member Samuel Reyes commended the students for "the passion you have for this teacher."
"Please give Mr. Petralia an opportunity to resolve this issue... It's a great gesture for you being here," he told the students.
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