On March 29, 2005, the Marana School District Board members unanimously voted 5 to 0 to remove Julia Barwell as the DeGrazia Elementary School Principal. The reason they stated, was that the pending court procedures and resulting course of action she must take would not be completed by end of 2004-2005 school year. They stated that in looking out for the best interests of the school and it\'s students that they must move forward to select a new principal and that the position would now be considered vacant. They also assured us that they had conducted an anonymous survey to gauge the employees and parents feelings. We ask you now, did you receive such a survey Many of us did not. Over 40 parents and teachers spoke that evening in favor of her; believing that we in fact, DID have a voice in this vote. The decision had already been made prior to that evening. Julia Barwell, in the past 18 months at DeGrazia initiated a much needed healing process at the school. She supports such programs as the DIBELS and the AIMS testing. She has instituted the A.R.T. program helping children to respect everyone and everything. One of her first goals as principal was to learn all 680 students names. She accomplished that goal. Our community needs the kind of person she is; a person with caring and compassion, someone who takes a vested interest in the children. We, the community of DeGrazia Elementary, as homeowners, business owners, taxpayers, and parents respectfully request the right to be heard. Deciding what is in the best interests of the children of DeGrazia is a serious task that deserves to be made with accurate information and opportunity for all the stakeholders to comment. By signing this petition we are saying that we are in support of Julia Barwell remaining the school\'s principal.

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