This is in response to the Sun Journal article of Dec. 17, “High school may get two deans to address student behavior.”

I am a retired teacher, having worked for 34 years in the classroom — 27 of those years at Lewiston High School. I can tell you there is no huge behavior problem at Lewiston High School.

Data shows that in the course of 80 days, an average of 13 students had to see an assistant principal. That represents about 1 percent of the total student population of 1,300.

That is not a huge problem. No data was presented to the School Committee showing a huge increase in behavior issues.

There is no data showing a significant increase in workload for the four administrators at LHS.

Approximately 50-60 percent of every assistant principal position in Lewiston (and the state of Maine) is discipline. There is one administrator for about every 325 students. The cost to taxpayers is about $400,000. Moving two teachers to administration increases that to about $500,000.

Last year four administrators evaluated all teachers at LHS, handled discipline, continued curriculum work and worked with teachers. This year only one third of the teachers have to be evaluated; that is a decrease in workload.

There is no researched data showing an urgent need to remove two excellent teachers from the classroom in the middle of the school year.

Disrupting upward of 200 students, changing their schedules and possibly crowding other classes does not make sense. Excellent teachers need to stay in the classroom.

LHS has teacher coaches to assist teachers in the development of behavior management skills. Cluster leaders, mentors and professional learning communities also work with teachers. Professional development money is available for course work or to attend workshops. There are a lot of resources already in place.

Last year’s evaluations showed a small number of teachers needing improvement in this area.

Again, no urgent need shown.

At the January meeting, the School Committee needs to reevaluate its decision, suspend the removal of two teachers from the classroom and request Principal Linda MacKenzie provide the research proving the urgent need to remove teachers from the classroom.

Crystal Ward, Lewiston

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