Parents, supporters protest decision to not renew Sacred Heart School principal's contract
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Jun. 30—GROTON — A group of about 25 people, including parents and children, protested outside Sacred Heart School on Friday morning the decision to not renew the contract of the school principal.
They held signs saying "We stand with Dr. Kingston" and "SHS needs Dr. K" in support of Principal Gail Kingston, on the last day of her contract. They said Kingston has done a great job at the school, from keeping the school open and kids safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, to talking to students in the morning and during lunch. They said she has improved the quality of education, is well-liked by teachers and knows all the kids by name.
Parents said they should have a voice in the decision.
"She's the kind of principal that we want our kids to have, and if that's not going to be, we want better answers than we're getting as parents because we're not getting any answers as to why this is happening," said Laura Stamatien.
Stamatien, whose two children attend Sacred Heart and whose family has been associated with the school for 35 years, said her children were in tears when she brought them to say goodbye to Kingston on Wednesday.
She said the family spends a little less than a mortgage payment to send the children to school at Sacred Heart, and she's always been OK with that because of the community at Sacred Heart. She said she knows when she drops off her children that they feel safe and loved. She said Kingston greets the children every morning and afternoon.
The school offers before and afterschool care and has everything the family needs, but Stamatien said she will pull the kids out of school if Kingston leaves.
Parents this week said they were surprised to receive an email from Kingston telling them that the Rev. Brian Converse, pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Mary's parishes in Groton and Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Gales Ferry, is not renewing her contract for next school year.
She wrote that she will continue to work as the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Norwich.
Kingston wrote that the past six years as principal of Sacred Heart School, a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade Catholic school, have been a blessing and privilege that she will never forget.
She said she will miss each and every one of the children and is humbled at having the privilege to work with "such amazing colleagues."
"It is truly a calling and a ministry to work in a Catholic School," she wrote.
Kingston and Converse could not immediately be reached for comment. The Diocese of Norwich did not respond to a request for comment.
Parents said they will be writing letters to the diocese and the Archdiocese of Hartford that they want to keep Kingston as principal.
"She's a vital part of our school community and the fact that her contract wasn't renewed is mind-boggling to me," said Kelsey Egan, a parent of two Sacred Heart students.
Donna Holman, a trustee of Sacred Heart Parish, said her children went to the Sacred Heart School and her grandchildren now attend school there. She said Kingston kept the school open and kids safe during the 2020-21 school year by securing grants for COVID-19 safety measures.
Holman, a lifelong member of the parish, said parishioners had a prior letter-writing campaign with complaints about Converse.
She also said people have left the parish or been terminated during his tenure including two music directors, two faith formation coordinators, three secretaries, as well as volunteers and parishioners.
Joshua and Katie Trask were at Friday's protest with their three children, two who attend Sacred Heart and one who is about to start next year, who were holding signs.
Joshua said they are making a choice to send their kids to Catholic school and investing in their education. He said they want the best possible education for their children, but he is worried about what impact it has on the quality of education when a school loses an experienced principal like Kingston.
