Ed. Note: This is a statement from the Black Parents Workshop regarding South Orange-Maplewood Public Schools and its treatment of Black students. On Friday, March 8th, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office issued a warrant for Columbia High School Principal Frank Sanchez, charging him with second degree child endangerment, a felony, and simple assault, a misdemeanor. Sanchez turned himself in yesterday. The charges stem from an incident on March 9th, 2023 when Sanchez allegedly assaulted a Black female high school student. In April the student filed an Affirmative Action complaint and a student grievance complaint against Sanchez, which prompted the criminal investigation.

In this statement, Black Parents Workshop founder Walter Fields makes reference to several incidents that involve mistreatment of Black students. For background, see here for the preschooler held upside-down by the ankles; see here for the former Columbia High School teacher who admitted sexually abusing a student; and see here for charges of police brutality.

Yesterday the Black Parents Workshop (BPW) learned that suspended Columbia High School principal Frank Sanchez surrendered to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office on charges of second-degree child endangerment and simple assault. The charges stem from an incident with a Black, female Columbia High School student.

Since its inception ten years ago, the Black Parents Workshop has taken seriously the responsibility to protect Black students in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. We were the only organization that expressed disapproval of the renewal of Mr. Sanchez’s contract when it came before the Board of Education. Our position was based upon what we had been hearing from Black students in Columbia High School, and our inclination was validated when we became aware of the incident at the heart of these charges.

Black Parents Workshop Founder Walter Fields noted, “The history of abuse of Black children in this school district is inconceivable. We have had a Black child put in a closet as punishment, one held by the ankles, students sexually assaulted by a teacher, and students victimized by police brutality. There is something wrong in a community when repeated incidents of child abuse become the norm. Sadly, Black children are not believed until it becomes a matter of the criminal justice system or litigation.”

This incident is another example of when Black students or parents speak, their concerns are disregarded. At the very meeting when we took issue with Mr. Sanchez’s contract renewal, a vocal contingent of White parents disregarded BPW’s concerns and argued passionately for his return as principal. Time and again we have witnessed this phenomenon in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. Truth is raised but rejected because it interferes with White entitlement. So long as White students aren’t inconvenienced, the experiences of Black children are of no concern. Is there any wonder why it has taken so long for the school district to confront the way Black children are underserved in the classroom?

BPW Founder Fields reflects, “What will it take for Black children to feel safe in their own community? What will it take for this school district to take moral responsibility and provide Black children an education to which they are legally entitled? My suggestion is stop having ‘conversations’ on race and engaging in performative acts like hanging ‘Black Lives Matter’ banners across streets and begin respecting the humanity of Black children. Is that too much to ask for? This is a shameful moment for this school district that adds to a shameful history in the South Orange-Maplewood School District.” 

BPW fully intends to hold responsible any adults who might have been aware of this incident and failed to report this incident to the necessary authorities. 

The Black Parents Workshop encourages any Black student who has experienced what they believe to be harassment by Mr. Sanchez to contact us at blackparentsworkshop@gmail.com. We also encourage parents to reach out to us if they are aware of mistreatment of their child. BPW will not rest until Black children’s lives really do matter in the South Orange-Maplewood School District.