SAN ANTONIO - Maria Martinez is due to deliver a baby any day now and she is troubled about coming to Gus Garcia Middle School again because of problems with her son and teachers. Martinez says teachers are too rough with students; shoving them and yelling.
Another parent says too many students are causing problems, fighting and bullying their peers on and off campus.
Those parents believe the situation is out of control at Garcia in the Edgewood ISD.
Teachers are also concerned and believe they are forced to work in a hostile environment because the superintendent is threatening to fire anyone who can't help students prepare and pass the approaching STAAR exam.
Richard Marcias, president of an Edgewood teachers union, says it's not right for teachers to face intimidation when they need more help from administrators and parents.
Maclovio Perez, spokesman for the district, says he isn't aware of any threats to teachers, but says everyone is under the gun to pass the state mandated testing.
He also confirmed the principal at Garcia had been on the job less than six months when he left on medical leave. The district spokesman says he isn't sure about claims that Adrian Ramirez was fired or quit his job. However, parents at the middle school believe a letter should have been issued to parents telling them about a change in administration.
Perez says the interim principal has been on the job for three weeks.
As a result of growing concern, the union president says someone in his group invited Dr. Michael Soto, a state education board member, to an after-school meeting to discuss the issues. Soto says he listened to teachers and will remain in contact with them as he evaluates the situation.
Marias says teachers plans to raise this issues again at an Edgewood ISD board meeting Tuesday on February 28th.
