An empty Principal’s office
Students and staff have sensed the absence of Principal HkwauaQueJol Hollins since his medical leave on Feb. 28. His presence was first missed during the Black Lives Matter week of Jan. 31st, which Hollins played an instrumental role in organizing. Assistant Principal Jessica Proctor stepped in to support after his absence.
On Mar. 2, the Seattle Public Schools’ Human Resources Board Report listed separations and hires. On page one, line five bears a familiar name: “Hollins HkwauaQueJol, Roosevelt High School, High School Principal.”
According to Proctor, initially SPS reported Hollins’ leave was due to medical reasons. “All I know [is] it was medical leave and that is what the administration said was the reason for his separation.”
The Roosevelt administration had no communication with the student body regarding Hollins’ separation. The staff was notified by an email from Roosevelt Social Studies Department head and teacher Daniel Gross.
Assistant Principals Roy Merca and Michael Kelly declined to be interviewed for this story. Both Assistant Principals state that SPS has made zero comments on the status of Hollins. “The last message I received from Hollins was to support BSU during Black Lives Matter week,” says Proctor.
Assistant Principal Proctor says, “As far as I’m concerned zero staff have had any contact with Hollins since his separation.”
Questions are being asked by the Roosevelt community surrounding the appointment of an interim principal. On Mar 21, Executive Director of Schools Jon Halfaker sent an email to Roosevelt staff stating that there would be no interim principal for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. Instead, Assistant Principals Merca, Proctor, and Kelly will divide principal responsibilities.
