A coalition of students, parents, teachers, elected officials, and community leaders are demanding answers and action from District officials
Washington, D.C. – School Without Walls students, parents, and teachers, joined by elected officials and community leaders, are calling for the DC Council to act to reinstate School Without Walls High School and School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens Principal Richard Trogisch.
This press release contains a letter with over 200 signatures and a resolution any Councilmember can introduce to urge the Mayor to reinstate Richard Trogisch. Both campuses serve nearly 1200 families from all eight wards, and since the health and safety questions Principal Trogisch raised affect every DCPS facility, we urge all Councilmembers to sign this resolution.
In addition to action on a resolution from the Council, this coalition demands answers and action from city officials, including the following:
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- An explanation for why DCPS dismissed Principal Trogisch;
- An invitation for public witnesses to testify at hearings on school safety amid the pandemic;
- A public meeting with Chancellor Ferebee and Dr. Jerry Jellig that addresses concerns that have yet to receive sufficient clarity; and
- Independent investigators to review the state of SWW and other schools to ensure they are safe for in-person learning.
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A coalition of students, parents, teachers, school officials, elected officials, and community leaders spoke out on the uncertainty and undue stress DCPS placed on the School Without Walls community by abruptly removing Principal Trogisch.
“Mr. Trogisch was many things to the Walls community, but if he was one thing and one thing alone, he was a fighter. Mr Trogisch fought for the Walls community and would say no to the central office and fight for the interests of Walls students. He genuinely cared about SWWFS and SWWHS and would do anything for the students, parents and teachers there,” said SWW student Matthew Premysler.
“Mr. Trogisch has consistently gone to bat for his students and firing him is, in my opinion, nothing more than a political move that benefits only DCPS administration,” said SWW student Jennifer Nehrer. “Admins themselves have admitted that this move was not in the best interest of students, so was it really necessary? DCPS’ lack of transparency and communication with the community has been appalling and has only added to the confusion regarding this move. Since when should a school system put their own petty politics before the needs of their students?”
“As a parent of two School Without Walls students, I have been amazed by the community that Principal Trogisch has built and the progress that our school has made under his leadership. A huge part of that success is due to the relationships of trust that Principal Trogisch built with teachers and parents. We know that he always has the best interests of our kids and his staff front of mind at all times. Losing him now, while everything is already so hard and so scary, is an impossible situation, made all the more upsetting because we know he was fired after standing up for our needs and safety,” said Emily Nestler, parent of two SWW students.
“Principal Trogisch should be immediately reinstated to preserve stability in our school through the ongoing pandemic response and upcoming budget reforms. Both the DCPS chief of secondary schools and the instructional superintendent publicly acknowledged that the removal is “not in the best interest” of students and “not in the best interest of everyone,” said President of School Without Walls High School Home and School Association Sandra Moscoso. “The timing of Richard Trogisch’s dismissal raises many questions after he brought concerns about the condition of the school to the city. I’m urging the Council to do their job and allow testimony from public witnesses at the “Return to In-person Instruction in DC Public Schools” roundtable and to pass this resolution to reinstate Richard Trogisch as principal.”
“Richard Trogisch is a visionary who cared about everyone who crossed the thresholds of SWW and SWWFS, no matter their age, gender identity, or race. He cared enough about everyone to ensure that they would be safe when they crossed those thresholds. He was especially cognizant of ensuring safety in the midst of a global pandemic, in a nearly century-old building that housed 600+ people at its peak,” said Teressa West, Elementary Teacher at SWW Francis Stevens and LSAT member. “The lack of transparency from DCPS on Trogisch’s dismissal has and will continue to have a negative lingering impact that is felt across all eight wards of the city.”
“This is not just about Richard Trogisch who, over fifteen years, has built the number 1, Blue Ribbon High School in the District and also, a successful Education Campus on the rise,” said Gleeson Young, WTU Building Representative at SWW Francis Stevens. “This is about Mayoral Control and DCPS’s blatant disregard for its students, employees and parents, where time and time again, their actions have hurt and divided communities, such as Boone, Kimball and now SWWFS and SWWHS, with zero transparency and zero consultation. We have marched, demanded action and now we want action from the Council, should the Mayor and DCPS fail to act on our demands.”
“Today we are providing Councilmembers language for a resolution to reinstate Richard Trogisch. By passing a resolution ordering the reinstatement of Principal Trogisch, the Council can show that they stand with the students, parents, and teachers of School Without Walls,” said Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and Candidate to represent Ward 2 on the DC Council Randy Downs. “We need transparency from DCPS, but more importantly we need action. I’m joining the School Without Walls community in a call for Principal Trogisch to be reinstated and for the Council to take action by passing a resolution.”
“Richard Trogisch is one of the finest educators the District of Columbia has. Without his leadership, the School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens wouldn’t exist as an oversubscribed, thriving neighborhood school and School Without Walls High School wouldn’t be nearly as distinctive and in-demand,” said Foggy Bottom Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Patrick Kennedy. “Principal Trogisch is a tireless fighter for his students, his teachers, and his staff…we need him now more than ever.”
“Rich Trogisch dedicated 50 years of his life to educating and mentoring young people. To have his distinguished career be ended this way is both cruel and unconscionable. And those who stand by and allow this to happen are complicit,” said Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Mike Silverstein. “Richard Trogisch must be reinstated.”
“The Council must act to reverse the silencing of Principal Trogisch, a pillar of the Foggy Bottom community,” said Foggy Bottom Advisory Neighborhood Commission Chair and Candidate to represent Ward 2 on the State Board of Education James Harnett. “His students are speaking up and speaking out. We cannot ignore them. ANC 2A and ANC 2B are standing together, united, to get our school leader back.”
For immediate release: October 26, 2020
Contact: press@randyforward2.com
LETTER
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
October 26, 2020
Dear Councilmember,
We, the undersigned, write to you regarding recent events that took place affecting the School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens and School Without Walls High School community.
As a coalition of students, parents, and teachers at School Without Walls, as well as elected officials and community leaders, we were devastated to learn that Richard Trogisch was dismissed from the position of Principal. His dismissal, with no explanation from District officials, was a shock that left many of us looking for answers and feeling unstable without the guidance of a pillar of our community during a time of extreme uncertainty.
Without open and transparent communication from DCPS, we are left to speculate as to why Principal Trogisch was dismissed from his duties. We learned that days leading up to an announcement from the city that schools would re-open for in-person instruction, there was an inspection of SWW Francis-Stevens that didn’t produce convincing results for safe re-opening. Our understanding is that Principal Trogisch raised these concerns at the Chancellor’s meeting and was fired 48 hours later. This is deeply troubling and our community deserves answers immediately.
With this letter, we are seeking immediate action to reinstate Principal Trogisch as principal at School Without Walls. Specifically, we urge the Council to pass a resolution ordering the reinstatement of Richard Trogisch as Principal at School Without Walls High School and School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens. Since these campuses serve nearly 1200 families from all eight wards, and since the health and safety questions Principal Trogisch raised affect every DCPS facility, we urge all Councilmembers to sign this resolution.
Additionally, we request that the Council take the following steps to ease uncertainty for our community:
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- Allow public witnesses at committee hearings on school safety amid the pandemic.
- Enlist independent investigators to review the state of SWW and other schools to ensure they are safe for in-person learning.
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Enclosed you will find a draft resolution you can use in its entirety or as a framework to enact in solidarity with our community. We appreciate your consideration of these steps to provide stability to our school community in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Sandra Moscoso, President of School Without Walls High School Home and School Association
Gleeson Young, WTU Building Representative at School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens
Deborah Murphy, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens staff member
Jane Cohen Hartman, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Shannon Robichaud, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Kris Boswell, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Adetokunbo Adekanmbi, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Latasha Boone, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Karen Seward, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Mary Huysman, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Philip Tavares, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens Business Manager
Catherine Norton, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Alexandra Morgan, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Glady Diaz, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Melissa Deokaran, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Teressa West, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Zach Carroll, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens teacher
Carlton Ackerman, Ward 3 School Without Walls teacher
Colleen Beckett, Ward 2 School without walls at Francis Stevens librarian and teacher
Randy Downs, ANC2B05, Dupont Circle
James Harnett, Chairperson ANC2A, Foggy Bottom
Mike Silverstein, ANC2B06, Dupont Circle
Patrick Kennedy, Vice Chairperson ANC2A, Foggy Bottom
Daya George, President of Student Government/Sophomore at School Without Walls
Avajane Lei, School Without Walls High School student
Mariam Adegoke, School Without Walls High School student
Jennifer Nehrer, School Without Walls High School student
Indira Moshi, School Without Walls High School student
Matthew Premysler, School Without Walls High School student
Savannah Wright, School Without Walls High School student
Amelie Griffith, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Leo Feldman, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Amelie Bours Miller, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Yasmine Shaner, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Vita McEachern, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Philip Sipher, Ward 2 School Without Walls High School
Jacob Samuels-Piateski, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Theodore Thomas, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Mattias Sgherri Cipollone, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Samaya Jain-Dewitt, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Benjamin Munger, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Zara Escobar, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School students
Daya George, Ward 3 School Without Walls Senior High School student
Alex Benach, Ward 4 School Without Walls Senior High School student
Kieran Blank, Ward 4 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Owen Blank, Ward 4 School Without Walls Senior High School student
William Haray, Ward 4 School Without Walls Senior High School student
Nedim Yusuf, Ward 5 School Without Walls Senior High School student
Luam Tekle, Ward 5 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Maximillian Zeidler, Ward 6 School Without Walls Senior High School student
Dylan Schon, Ward 6 School Without Walls Senior High School student
Oliver O’Brien, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Vivian O’Brien, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Oscar O’Brien, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Adi Ravin Cook, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Lihi Ravin Cook, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Avajane Lei, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School student
Julian Stephens, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School student
Ryan Monke, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School student
Belema Taylor-Harry, Ward 7 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Panari Brown, Ward 8 School Without Walls High School student
Kailes Collier, Ward 8 School Without Walls High School student
Curtis Lawrence, III, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School student
Corey Lawrence, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School student
Ishan Hsu, Ward 8 School Without Walls High School student
Kiara Ha, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
James Ha, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Maggie Ryan, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
William Ryan, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Maximo Blazquez, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Dalia Blazquez, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Daphne Wahl, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens student
Ryden Pahang, School Without Walls High School student
Henry and Gabriella Landez, parents of 2020 SWW graduate Alexander Landinez
Michael Mobbs, School Without Walls High School parent
Maria Helena Carey, SWWHS and SWWFS parent
Wing Man Jennie Mak, School Without Walls High School parent
Jon Zeidler, School Without Walls High School parent
Nicki Belfiore, School Without Walls High School parent
Jane Wallace, School Without Walls parent
Katherine David-Fox, School Without Walls parent
John and Deborah Olson, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Catherine Bernard, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Josh Singer, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Greg Wahl, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Diane Frendak, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Mywen Baysah, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Arthur Griffith, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Karen Thomas, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Michael Smith, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Latesha Durkins, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Esperanza Román-Mendoza, Ward 1 LSAT School Without Wall High School parent
Stephanie Kay, Ward 1 School Without Wall High School parent
Henry Landinez, Ward 2 School Without Walls High School parent
Gabriella Landinez, Ward 2 School Without Walls parent
Cathy Feldman, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Karl Feldman, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Martine Miller, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Dennis Bours, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Kevin Ryan, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Naomi Palmer Shaner, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Emily Nestler, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Jeff Nestler, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Lucia Resende, Ward 2 SWWHS and SWW at Francis Stevens parent
Dacian Reece-Stremtan, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Patricia Sipher, Ward 2 School Without Walls High School parent
Anthony Sipher, Ward 2, School Without Walls High School parent
Thì Thao Ly Tran, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Erin Piateski, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Amy Carrdus, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Ben Carrdus, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Sarah Thomas, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Jesse Thomas, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Aynat Ravin, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Silvia Sgherri, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Adria Wright, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Gil Landau, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Ranita Jain, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Sean Dewitt, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Sara Aguiniga, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Eric Munger, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Keri Holland, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Edward Fienga, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Edwin Chamberlain, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School parent
Maan Sacdalan, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School parent
Maria Luisa Rossel, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School parent
Emanuela Giudetti, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School parent
Roberto Setola, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School parent
Susan Cleary, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School parent
Stacy Beck, Ward 4 School Without Walls High School parent
Michele Zador, Ward 4 School Without Walls High School parent
Randy Showstack, Ward 4 School Without Walls High School parent
Lewis Csedrik, Ward 4 School Without Walls High School parent
Sanda Blank, Ward 4 SWWFS and SWWHS parent
Michael Blank, Ward 4 SWWFS and SWWHS parent
Bezalel Stern, Ward 4 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Jonathan Haray, Ward 4 School Without Walls High School parent
Ayesha Langley, Ward 5 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Alexander Escobar, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School parent
Marion Babcock, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School parent
Alexander Escobar, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School parent
Curtis Lawrence, Jr., Ward 5 School Without Walls High School parent
Sozit Yousuf, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School parent
Abdulahi Yusuf, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School parent
Kidist Shiferaw, Ward 5 School Without Walls Francis-Stevens parent
Alexis Howard, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School parent
María Helena Carey, Ward 6 SWWFS and SWWHS parent
Christine Mullins, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Zixta Martinez, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Nadine Henderson, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Kevin O’Neill, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Victoria Potter, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Paromita Shah, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Cindy Hildebrand, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Amy Nevel, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Sepribo, Ward 7 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Brighton Payne, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Otha Collier, Ward 8 School Without Walls High School parent
Alexandra Boozier, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Goda McEachern, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Chirine Alameddine, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Alicia J Swenson O’Brien, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Tim O’Brien, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Dan Cook, Ward 2, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Giuseppe Cipollone, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Maureen Miranda, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Daniel Richardson, Ward 4 School Without Walls High School parent
Joanne Csedrik, Ward 4 School Without Walls High School parent
Leah Shoval, Ward 4 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Rochelle Ford, Ward 5 School Without Walls parent
Tekle Tewolde, Ward 5 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Rob Stephens, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Renata Claros, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Tamara Resler, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Jim Monke, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School parent
Monice Brown, Ward 8 School Without Walls High School parent
Malene Lawrence, Ward 5 School Without Walls High School parent (LSAT member)
Cedric Hendricks, Ward 1, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent and LSAT Chair
Jennie Mak, Ward 3 School Without Walls High school parent
Chris Chilbert, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School parent
Nicki Belfiore, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School parent
David Wolf-Hudson, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Quoc Ha, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Tania Shand, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Heather Shaner, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Philip Palmer, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Kiera Proctor, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Nyia M. Harris, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Sara Bentley Ryan, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Shaquanna Banks, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
John Calloway, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Carmen Jenkins Frazier, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Blossom da Costa, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Alexis B. Williams, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Andrea Green, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Patricia E. Anderson, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Talia Terry, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Diana Kelly Alvord, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Amy Bauer, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Adria Jones Wright, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Julian Wright, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Edna R. Jones, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens Grandparent
Lizette Buie, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Juan Blazquez, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Sarah Reece-Stretman, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
John Lang, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Vassilissa Kozoulina, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Jonathan Kelley, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Catherine Kelley, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Gimena Sanches-Garzoli, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Noni Buchanan, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens parent
Monique Boujean Williams, parent of School Without Walls Francis-Stevens students
Heather Shaner, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens grandparent
Philip Palmer, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens grandparent
Jacqueline Patterson, Ward 1 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens grandparent
Arissa Morrell, Ward 3 School Without Wall High School graduate
Asha Gardner, Ward 5 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens graduate
Liam Gardner, Ward 5 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens graduate
Giulia Setola, Ward 3 School Without Walls High School graduate
Valetie mcgrath, Ward 3 School Without Walls graduate
Mahler Revsine, Ward 4 School Without Walls graduate
Brian O’Neill, Ward 6 School Without Walls graduate
Connor Monke, Ward 6 School Without Walls High School sibling of a student
Briana Ha, Ward 2 School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens sibling of a student
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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To maintain the stability, success, and leadership of School Without Walls that has made these schools two of the finest in the District of Columbia and the nation.
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution be cited as the “Supporting the Stability and Continued Success of School Without Walls Resolution of 2020.”
Pursuant to Section 103 of the District of Columbia Public Education Reform Amendment Action of 2007, effective June 12, 2007, (D.C. Law 17-9; D.C. Official Code 38-172), the Council directs the Mayor to reinstate Richard Trogisch as principal of School Without Walls.
