Compton : Parents, Teachers Defend Embattled Principal

A rift between a parent and a principal spilled over into this week’s school board meeting when parents and teachers spoke in defense of the principal, who has been accused of racism and mistreating a parent.

The dispute is between parent Tanya Candler and King Elementary Principal Rosa Bella, who has suspended Candler’s fourth-grade child eight times this year, mostly for fighting. Candler alleged that Bella regularly sided with Latino children against her daughter and that Bella bears a grudge toward her family. Candler has gathered 31 signatures on a petition alleging discrimination. Candler and Bella are African-Americans.

Candler said she wants Bella fired or transferred, as does Kalem Aquil, chairman of the district’s parent advisory council. Aquil said he witnessed Bella verbally abusing the parent and said the principal had refused to let the child return to school recently until higher district officials intervened.

Compton Unified administrators said they are investigating the incident but declined further comment. Bella could not be reached for comment, but about half a dozen teachers and parents Tuesday disputed the allegations in Candler’s petition and questioned whether the signatures were valid.

“The principal there, she’s just like a mother to me,” parent Carolyn Caldwell said. “I think she’s a wonderful person.”

“She loves the students,” teacher Yolanda Callegari said. “All you have to do is come to the school and see how the students respond to her.”