Educator’s Reassignment Stirs Outcry : School: Daisy Tatum, who served as vice principal at Hueneme High School, gets a strong show of support.

Protesting the proposed transfer of a popular administrator at Hueneme High School, dozens of teachers, parents and students have accused the Oxnard Union High School District of insensitivity toward the community.

If the school board approves the transfer today, Daisy Tatum, 48, vice principal at Hueneme High for 12 years, will be sent to Frontier High as interim principal. Frontier Principal Joanne Black will become interim principal at Hueneme, taking over for Terry Taylor, who cannot work because of illness.

About 80 protesters showed up unexpectedly at a school board meeting Wednesday night, telling officials in emotional speeches that Tatum was the backbone of Hueneme High and deserved to be named principal, especially since she had filled that role capably during Taylor’s illness last semester.

“She’s an inspiration to students, including my own,” said PTA President Chris Olin.

The district was also criticized for ignoring Tatum’s importance to the Hueneme community.

“They give lip service to the community and then wonder why parents would want something like a voucher initiative,” said Oxnard educator Mary Ann Walker, referring to a November ballot proposition that would provide public money to parents and let them decide whether to send their children to public or private schools.

According to campus supervisor Delores Carrasco, some students who support Tatum think she “got a raw deal” and have threatened to vandalize the school in retribution.

“We’re scared,” Carrasco said. “Daisy kept students in line because they knew she cared about them. There will be trouble without her.”

Although district Supt. Bill Studt said Tatum was transferred for her “professional growth,” others suggest that race was involved in the decision. Tatum--who declined to comment on her transfer--is an African-American in a district with no African-American principals. Five years ago, she applied for the principal’s job but lost out to Taylor.

“As a female African-American in the education field, I am real concerned about her career track,” said Walker, who has worked with Tatum at Hueneme High. “I don’t understand why she’s being passed over.”

Studt, however, said allegations of racism “are completely untrue and ridiculous. Daisy is an up-and-coming administrator with lots of tremendous skills. Going to Frontier is a great opportunity for her.”

The mother of a Hueneme High junior said she doesn’t believe race is an issue. “The decision by the district just wasn’t quite well thought out,” said the woman, an African-American who didn’t want her name used. “Sometimes, we have to go back and think some more. Who better than Daisy Tatum to fill Terry Taylor’s shoes?”

The school board will meet in closed session with district officials at 1 p.m. today to make a final decision, but several Tatum supporters said they do not think the outcome will change. They noted that Tatum has already cleaned out her office, and said the board rarely votes against staff recommendations.

Studt said Thursday that he has not changed his mind about the transfer despite the public outcry.

“We made the decision on what’s best for both schools,” he said.

Board member Nancy Koch agreed that Tatum was a key figure at Hueneme High, but indicated that she will go along with Studt’s recommendation.

“District decisions aren’t always popular,” Koch said. “The community should realize this is a promotion for Daisy.”

But Tatum’s supporters see the move as a demotion. Hueneme has 2,500 students, while Frontier--a continuation school for troubled students--has about 400.

Tatum’s backers contend that keeping her at Hueneme would be easier and more fair than bringing in a new principal.

“It makes more sense for the children in terms of continuity,” Walker said. “Hueneme is known as Daisy’s school. When people visit the campus, the person they go to is Daisy. A lot of people think Daisy is the principal. The district just ignores all that.”