The start of the school year promises to be tense in Couthenans, in Haute-Saône. In this town, the fifty or so students may well not find their way back to school this Thursday, September 1. In question: the return of the director of the establishment, also a teacher of CP / CE1. She must return to her position after a year of maternity leave. But some parents of students oppose it, like Sandrine. This mother launched a petition at the start of the summer holidays. “About twenty parents have signed it sinceshe explains. It is impossible for her to come back. If nothing moves, my children will not go to school for the start of the school year. I will change them establishment.“
Children left unsupervised according to parents
The parents who signed the petition denounce the supposed behavior of the director, already observed in her former establishments according to them. For instance : shortcomings in terms of security, with sudden absences from time to time when she has to supervise her students. But there are also more serious facts according to Sandrine, at the origin of the petition: “A few years ago, she harassed a municipal employee. I’ve heard him speak badly to children before. I sent an e-mail to the academic administration recently, telling them that if anything happened to the children, they would be responsible.“Jean-Pierre Jeanroy, the mayor of Couthenans, also asked the academic director of Haute-Saône.
The inspection is aware of these problems. Two years ago, she already had to take measures so that the headmistress would not return to our school. If nothing moves, the school will remain closed on Thursday.
The chosen one speaks of a heavy climate within the primary school of Couthenans. “The director must no longer practice in national educationsays Jean-Pierre Jeanroy. The academic management asked me to provide testimonials. What I have done. It is clear that the inspection leaves us in the dark and that we have to bang our fists on the table.”
“Reinforced follow-up”
Philippe Destable, the academic director of Haute-Saône, says he is very attentive, having listened to the different parties. He keeps the director in her post, while promising a reinforced follow-up from the start of the school year. “It’s time for actionhe explains. We have a roadmap, mutual commitments. We are going to set up regular meetings between the various players involved. Meetings in which the district inspector and a representative of the departmental management will participate“Philippe Destable believes that there is “no reason to deprive children of school“.
We have contacted the director targeted by the petition. She declined to comment on the subject.