Annapolis High students walk out to question principal's absence, demand his return

Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
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A group of students walked out of class at Annapolis High School in Dearborn Heights on Tuesday to protest the school district's decision to place their principal on administrative leave.

Principal Aaron Mollett was placed on paid administrative leave sometime in the past week, according to Superintendent Ty Weeks. In an emailed statement to the Detroit Free Press, Weeks wrote that Mollett will remain on leave "while the district conducts its investigation." He did not explain the nature of the investigation. In the absence of that information, students and parents have speculated for days about Mollett's removal, including on a Facebook group with more than 300 members.

Shouting "bring back Mollett" and holding posters asking to "bring back our principal," dozens of protesters — students, in some cases, joined by their parents — crowded around the school.

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Barb Young, the parent of four children in the district including a student at Annapolis, said in an interview with the Free Press on Monday that the district has created confusion among parents in suspending Mollett.

"We would really, really love our principal and really would love some transparency from the district, especially the superintendent," she said.

The protesting students planned to walk from Annapolis to the school district's administrative offices.

Students from Annapolis High School in Dearborn Heights started their march on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from their school in protest of and to show their support for their principal Aaron Mollett, who was put on administrative leave last week. The students, including some from the nearby middle school, marched three blocks to the Dearborn Heights board of education building.

In an email to Annapolis students, staff and families sent May 7, Weeks wrote, "This matter requires the district to exercise patience and privacy as we work through this sensitive issue."

Angel Windless, 16, said on Monday that she found out Mollett was placed on leave through social media and opposes the decision.

"He's always been there for me, so I want to be there for him," she said.

Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Annapolis High student protest questions principal's absence