'Bring Maxey Back:' Raines Students Protest Principal's Ouster | News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- About two dozen students at Raines High School were outside this morning to protest the forced resignation of principal George Maxey.

He is accused of covering for a student police say admitted to stealing items from the opposing team's football locker room when Raines played Bradford County in November.

Before class started this morning, 20-25 students were holding signs and chanting, "Bring back Maxey, bring back Maxey.'

The students said they felt Maxey should have been suspended for his actions, which they believe were wrong, but that he was trying to do what was best for the students, so his forced resignation went too far.

" I understand what he did was wrong, but he did it in the heart of love," said Ashley Watson. " He cared for his students."

"He should not have gotten that punishment," said Diamond Williams. " I want him back, we miss him and we will love him. Come back Mr. Maxey."

Destinae Wilson said " He has changed our school. He has put a lot of money in. All he was trying to do was defend us, everyone is talking negative about Raines and we are not a bad school, not a bad school at all."

They indicated Maxey was something of a father figure to them and a good principal.

PTSA President Vivian Jenkins said she has asked Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals to reconsider his decision to force Maxey out, adding that Maxey did nothing different from other principals in similar situations in trying to handle the matter internally.

"Is he going to do things unorthodox, yest, but it is in the best interest of the students," said Jenkins. "There are other parents who should be here, other students who should be here. They know in their hearts he has looked out for their child, and done the best for that child. There are kids who would not have graduated had it not been for Mr. Maxey."

Thursday night, students and alumni gathered to show their support for Maxey as well.

Duval County schools spokesperson Jill Johnson says the school provided counselors for students who wanted to talk about Maxey's resignation.

Johnson added that the school system is rallying behind Shateena Brown, a Vice Principal who is now serving as acting principal at Raines, and is focused on student success.