HPHS Students Protest Principal’s Departure Saying He Didn’t Want to Go

Waving hand-written signs on the Highland Park High School steps, students gathered Tuesday morning to protest the departure of their beloved principal, Brad Swanson, who many believe didn’t want to leave.

More than 100 students showed up for the “Save Swanson” protest before school, according to an article in TribLocal. Some parents and students believe Swanson accepted a lower-paying position with another district because he was pressured to leave his job.

You can scroll through pictures posted from the protest above.

Swanson, who has been principal at HPHS for six years, is leaving to become assistant superintendent for human resources at District 225, which is comprised of Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South high schools.

The protesters said they wanted answers from Superintendent George Fornero and the District 113 board, saying they have learned that Swanson did not want to leave the school, according to an article in the Highland Park News. Swanson has not given a statement about his departure or the protest.

Writing on Patch, commenter Maya said: “Swanson has made it clear to some parents that he did not want to " move on." He was forced out by Fornero. … The students are protesting removal of a wonderful principal who was in effect fired for what appear to be all the wrong reasons.”

There is also a online petition, titled “HPHS Needs Brad Swanson,” that has collected nearly 800 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon. It asked people to sign to “send a message to the District 113 Board that Highland Park High School needs Brad Swanson.” And parents packed a board meeting to voice their displeasure over Swanson’s departure.

You can read the TribLocal coverage of the protest here. 

And you can read the Highland Park News coverage here.

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