Parent Organizer Fired in the Wake of Allendale Boycott

Parent Organizer Fired in the Wake of Allendale Boycott

April 24, 2005

The long-time coordinator of Oakland Parents Together (OPT) , Henry Hitz, was fired from his position as After School Coordinator at Allendale Elementary School because of his alleged role in the parent boycott, which took place at the school on March 31.

On the day of the boycott, 60 out of 450 students showed up at the school as their parents protested the involuntary transfer of seven teachers, including some that are considered the best teachers in the school.

Allendale is one of the 13 Oakland schools that the district is forcing to undergo restructuring this year for their failure to meet test score targets under No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the law that provides federal money for schools based on poverty rates.

“The overwhelmingly successful boycott was a rebellion against No Child Left Behind," Mr. Hitz said. "The parents understand that their school was singled out because the students are from Spanish speaking families. NCLB is in the absurd position of punishing students because they are bilingual, a skill which
should be treated as an asset.”

Twelve of the 13 schools have a majority of students who come from Spanish speaking homes. NCLB sanctions are based solely on the results of tests taken in English.

“I’m, being targeted because I work for a nonprofit and therefore don’t have union protection, “ Mr. Hitz
continued. “This is a problem with the recent trend, accelerated by NCLB, of contracting out school services to nonprofits or for-profit groups. There’s an erosion of employee rights.”

The parents are still considering their response to the firing.

As Coordinator of OPT, Mr. Hitz attained funding for a family resource center at Allendale in 2001. In 2004, he was hired to coordinate the after school programs at the school as well.

“I don’t blame my boss or even the principal,” Mr. Hitz said. “I blame the climate of fear which has gripped the district ever since the state takeover. I don’t think this would have happened to me if we still had an elected school board.”

The cancellation of OPT’s contract has put the citywide advocacy organization in a financial bind. Mr. Hitz said that peoplee who wish to contribute can go to the OPT website at http://www.parentstogether.org.