OXNARD : Angry Teachers Back School Principal

Administrators and teachers from Haydock Intermediate School voiced support for Principal Pete Nichols at Wednesday’s Oxnard school board meeting after some board members complained about Nichols’ job performance.

Instructor Keith King told the board that he and other teachers were incensed by the criticism.

“To cast such negative opinions to the general public does not accurately portray who Mr. Nichols really is,” King said. “I was hurt, dismayed and felt very despondent for myself and for my school.”

The comments about Nichols were made by school board President Mary Baretto in an interview with The Times about racial division on the Oxnard School District’s board of trustees.

Baretto said she was unhappy with the selection of Nichols as principal of Frank Intermediate School, which will open in June.

None of the board members responded to the complaints.

King, who has taught at Haydock school since 1986, said that Nichols has increased morale, encouraged excellence from the students and improved relations with the staff.

Jan Tripp, who taught with Nichols at Driffill School, told the board that she was upset they had chosen to air their feelings publicly.

“You don’t encourage excellence in administration when you hold the best that we have up to public ridicule,” Tripp said. “It’s not a proud day for this district.”