We have an issue going on at WC with the mural that has been in the entryway for years, and that was paid for by the PTA. The new principal has unilaterally decided to paint over it during renovations and replace it with something of their choice (using taxpayer funds). There are hundreds of students and parents who have voiced their concern, and the principal's response is "We've already decided". There was never any input allowed by the PTA, parents or students. The administration will not get involved. This has become bigger than the mural. I feel that we, as taxpayers, should have some voice. If you agree, please email the principal at: debra.roesler@humble.k2.tx.us Again, even if you don't feel strongly one way or the other about the mural, but feel strongly that we as taxpayers and parents should have more involvement, please get involved by sending an email. Thanks!  

I have already emailed her and signed the petition. It's a beautiful mural, what a shame. 

We just did the same thing at our school. The same mural had been there for decades and was VERY out of date. We spent some school money and some PTO money to have it repainted last summer and during one of the breaks this year more paintings were added through out the school by the same artist. 

Reh, this one is not out of date and is in great condition. Many WCE families are upset over this, and it seems our opinions are being ignored. Very sad situtation. 

I am familiar with the mural at WCE, my sister and cousins have all gone through there. I was just giving another example of the same thing happening and parent/student input not being asked for. Many of the schools are being repainted this year so it may not even be a decision for the principal to make. 

In this case it is the principal. She has told parents that, and Dr. Sconzo's office has told parents that they won't get involved. I think it is her attitude that is making so many people so mad. Definite power trip. Not smart for a new principal! 

I think you people have no idea what a real problem in a school is. You should be glad your principal wants to update your school. 

My personal opinion on the WC situation is that the parents of students in Willow Creek cannot handle that the new principal is not giving in to them. From my experience, that group of parents cannot stand that someone is standing up to them. Just my thoughts, now let the bashing begin. 

They have another new principal? What happened to the last one? 

They have another new principal? What happened to the last one? 

I'm with you fancyfree!! Give me a break! As to what happened to the other principal...the parents happened. 

How many years has the mural been there? 

Walls get repainted, murals are replaced, how is that a cause for such concern? 

As to what happened to the other principal...the parents happened. The last principal was great...don't know of anyone that had a problem with her. There is no reason to waste money and cover up a piece of artwork that is in great condition. What's wrong with wanting to save it? 

How long has the mural been there? 

How long has the mural been there? I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure it was there when my sister started K and that was 8 years ago. Not sure how much longer than that though. 

Thanks..my thinking is..the parents whose money funded it,through PTA/PTO ,children are long gone from the school.. 

How many people signed a petition to keep the mural? I guess if a lot of people are upset, then I would try to schedule a meeting with the principal and address my concerns. Usually things like this can be cleared up with good communication. Good luck. 

Principal Debra Yokum left for a promotion in the Humble school district. Principal Debrorah Thomas left due to a family matter. The mural has been there since the school was built. It is up to the Principal whether it's replaced or not - she wants it replaced. Yes, the parents at WCE are very involved in the school. Which is a positive/negative thing. Positive for volunteering, fund raising, etc. Negative for feeling they have a say in the school. What I find amazing is that more people are upset over the mural being painted over and not that the new Principal took the text books up 2-3 weeks early - and wasted paper and resources having all the assignments copied for the last 5 weeks of school. 

You would think they could paint the school,without having to cover the mural..Must be some "reason" she wants it covered??? Bad blood? Every school here,I have been in has some sort of mural..granted,thats only about 6... But you are right..the uproar over this is interesting,considering some of the other wasteful things our schools do! 

Negative for feeling they have a say in the school. That is not a negative. They pay taxes that fund the school AND most importantly the school is teaching THEIR children. They should have a big say in what the school does. I think this was just handled wrong. If that many people felt attached to the mural the principal should discuss it with them and find a happy medium for all parties. Maybe she feels the mural no longer represents her vision for the school or who the school represents. 

That's my thought Diamond..Maybe its just kinda out of date with the direction/mission of the school? Maybe they will have a new one done? 

Let's just say I am fairly involved parent there and I didn't even know what the new principal looked like until an event last week. Plenty of people complained about the textbook issue. We even got an email regarding it from the school. We have also been at Greentree and the parents at WCE aren't so different than the parents at GT. For the most part, both schools have highly involved families that are invested in their children's education. 

There have been several face to face and phone conversations about the mural, with multiple parties. The PRINCIPAL thinks the mural is out of date and it may not match HER vision, but SHE shouldn't have unilateral say about matters that the students/parents feel so strongly about. Given the history, she might be there a few years - many of us will be there for many more. I will have children in that school for 11 years total. Combined with the textbook issue, I think this has become about more than a mural - it is the attitude of dictatorship that she has. 

When I taught for an elementary in Humble, not too long ago, we were discouraged from even using text books. Schools still use them? 

I have already emailed her and signed the petition. It's a beautiful mural, what a shame. I'v seen that mural a dozen times. It is indeed beautiful. I'm so sorry you have to deal with "one of those" principals, but hey, it's HER school, she's the big boss hawg and it's HER call, NOT YOURS. Sounds like our president. 

I think this has become about more than a mural - it is the attitude of dictatorship that she has. Very insightful. 

But she is the principal. Why should the parents have a say on DECORATING??? Schools are not run as a democracy... 

When I taught for an elementary in Humble, not too long ago, we were discouraged from even using text books. Schools still use them? I agree, I teach in the district and my students didn't crack a textbook open once this year. We did use the math workbooks but that was about it. 

Why should the parents have a say on DECORATING??? Indeed. All we're needed for is PAYING for the decorating lol. A principal can choose to include/exclude whomever he/she wishes when making decisions such as this one. This principal has chosen to exclude. Sounds like a gem. 

Why should the parents have a say on DECORATING??? Why should they not? Who says they shouldn't? That's right....the principal. 

does anyone have a picture they could post of the mural in question? 

This is less about the mural and more about the principal's attitude. If the principal is ignoring the parents wishes about a mural, what happens when a critical issue arises? This seems to be a classic case of an elitist who thinks she's above the "lowly" parents. Makes me wonder if she believes the parents should be counting their blessings that a professional is in charge, and knows what's best for Kwd.'s children. 

Oh my word!! "an elitist who thinks she is above the "lowly" parents. How about a principal who is doing her job at a new school, making the necessary decisions, etc. In all the years my children were in school, never did I get a phone call from a principal asking me what walls to paint in the school. If this issue is SO important to you, I would suggest you schedule a meeting with this principal, and voice your feelings to her face to face. Be sure and let her know that your tax money is paying for that paint and of course, be sure and tell her that your tax money is paying her salary. I'm sure she will bend over backwards to accomodate you. 

not so much a statement here...just loving this new graphic lol 

The fact is that she wants new murals painted; it is ridiculous to PAY for new murals when the one that is there is just fine. Several people have met with the principal in person. No one is asking for her to "bed over backwards", but when she specifically writes in an email that we will be getting new murals, it makes absolutely no sense to pay for something that is already there. The parents at WCE work their tails off providing materials for the classrooms. The principal should be happy to have them breathing down her neck; most of what is at WCE wouldn't be there without the PTA. All it is is a power struggle. 

All it is is a power struggle.  It takes two to have a power struggle. 

If the parents have made their reasonable opinions known and the principal STILL doesn't listen, what makes you think parents' opinions will matter when something critical happens? Lets say the principal needs this same PTA/PTO to raise money for something else...why should they bother? Yes, SOME (NOT all) administrators develop an elitist mentality.