“What do we want: transparency! When do we want it: now!”

Chants rang out in front of PHS after school on Monday, March 20 as a group of around 100 parents and students gathered to protest the removal of former Principal Frank Chmiel.

Many of the students in attendance at the rally hoped that it would have an impact on the decision-making process. Students, along with parents, took turns giving speeches to the other attendees describing their experiences with Chmiel and their thoughts on the matter as a whole.

“I hope that everyone just can see how much we love Mr. Chmiel and how we’re sad that he's gone,” said Owen Barry ’25. “As much as I hope for transparency, I know that's probably not an outcome that is possible.”

This protest, organized by a PHS Parents Facebook group, was widely promoted on social media. The majority of the protestors appreciated Chmiel’s leadership during his time at PHS and were angered about Dr. Carol Kelley and the Board of Education’s lack of transparency.

A day prior to the protest, the Board of Education released a statement addressing the perceived lack of communication, referencing New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-10. In the statement, the board emphasized that it could not release more information absent a decision by Chmiel to waive the privacy rights he holds as a public employee. However, for many students and parents, this statement was not enough to ease their concerns.

“We don't have any information. Nothing has been shared with us. The PTO has not communicated anything and this is my school community, so I want to know what's happening [and] what's going on so that we can be more informed,” said Vijayeta Singh, a PHS parent who attended the protest.

Chmiel had stood out as a caring principal who always listened to students and parents, causing feelings of shock and distrust to arise following his sudden dismissal. Along with concerns about transparency, the parents who attended the rally also worried that their opinions were not being taken into account by the Board of Education.

“Unfortunately, I don't think this board is fulfilling its obligation to listen to its constituency,” said David Kahn ’90, a PHS graduate and parent. “We want to collaborate with them. I don't want to be adversarial, the parents don’t want to be adversarial. We want them simply to listen to us and represent our interests in the best way they know how. But at the moment, I don't believe they are representing our interests.”

While some of the messaging during the protest was targetted towards members of the administration, many administrators viewed the event as a healthy opportunity for parents and students alike to have their voices heard. Rashone Johnson and Cecilia Birge, the acting principals of PHS, both supported the protest, emphasizing more than anything else the importance of safety. Along with taking measures such as blocking the PHS driveway and limiting the protestors to the edge of the high school’s property, at least one police officer was present to ensure that the protest went smoothly.

“Support what [you] want to support, say what you need to say, hear what you need to hear. Do it safely, and we're good,” Johnson said.