Staff, families rally after sudden firings at King Center Charter School

BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) -- Many who call the King Center Charter School (KCCS) home took to the streets on Wednesday over what they are calling a “severe injustice.”

Last Tuesday, three staff members, who spent decades at the East Side school, were suddenly let go. Three long-serving administrators — the principal, assistant principal and dean of students—were abruptly terminated. Those at Wednesday’s rally said it was without cause, due process or severance.

“King Center without Ms. Rhodes, the Thurmans, or Ms. Schaefer wouldn’t be KCCS at all," said Jesse Gordon, KCCS' athletic director. "It’s a shell of itself."

Last Tuesday, King Center Charter School was the site of celebration as 8th grade students and families gathered for graduation, but parents said the mood instantly changed.

“Leaving a ceremony, going out to celebrate, sitting down for a meal and receiving a travesty of a phone call,” said parent Jamal Davis.

Over the loudspeaker to a packed school, the Board of Trustees called Principal Antoinette Radford, Assistant Principal Joellen Thurman and Dean of Students Brandon Thurman one by one into their office, only to then show them the door, citing academic performance as the reason for dismissal.

“It was unfounded," Radford said. "Nothing to substantiate that claim."

Staff believe the firings were retaliatory following Tamaira Coleman taking the role of the Board of Trustees' executive director in 2019.

Teacher unionization followed that year amid ongoing fights over curriculum, teacher placement and a wave of resignations.

“Six years ago, there started a process where the culture began to change, and because this administration began to bring up concerns about that change in culture, the school staff had a vote of no confidence,” said Sam Radford, Antoinette’s husband and a community activist.

Jessica Schaefer, the director of curriculum and instruction, resigned in protest. Supporters at the rally referred to the group as the school’s “Fantastic Four,” with over 50 years of combined service.

“My children are absolutely heartbroken," said Rebekah Rodriguez, a staff member and parent. "They’ve lost beloved role models who nurtured, protected and uplifted them daily."

A formal complaint has been filed with the board, alleging issues with staffing, governance and labor law violations.

The group is also asking SUNY, which oversees charter schools in New York, to investigate the matter and reinstate the four administrators.

“We will stay in this process until all of those voices have been heard — unless this board comes to reason and they decide that maybe they should stop, reflect, consider the voices of the students, the parents and the staff,” Sam said.

"King Center Charter School is deeply committed to maximizing its limited resources in pursuit of high student achievement," the Board of Trustees said in a statement. "We have no comment regarding specific personnel matters, which are and will remain confidential.'

The board responded to community leaders, stating it will be scheduling an emergency board meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the situation.