Around 12:30 p.m. yesterday, more than one hundred students of the Elmore Stoutt High School took matters into their own hands and protested the termination of Peola Jones, a security guard, who has been a ‘mother’ to them.

Students of the Elmore Stoutt High School protesting in the school’s compound yesterday over the sacking of security guard, Peola Jones. See story on Page 3. (Photo by Aneka Edwards)

No Peola, no school’ - was chanted, and the slogan on many of the placards used in the protest that lasted for about 30 minutes in the school’s compound.   

On Wednesday, October 31, Jones, who worked at the school for more than 16 years, was handed her termination letter by her employer, Lemore Smith owner of Top Priority Security Services, much to the astonishment of herself and the students who subsequently heard.

This newspaper understands the fourth form students were the ones who planned the protest.

“Out of all the guards, she was the only one who really understood us,” said one female student holding a placard and shouting words of encouragement to her other classmates. 

Another female student quipped, “She showed us respect and she got the respect. If we had a problem with anyone bullying us she would be the one to take charge and believe you me it [bullying] stopped.” 

“We have to represent her,” shouted another.  

So what could have driven Smith to terminate the services of such a beloved employee?

According to Smith, lack of cooperation and disrespect of protocol. “It was nothing personal… it was a judgment call,” stressed Smith.

He also noted that several meetings were held with him, the school’s administration and Jones ‘trash out’ certain matters pertaining to the job.

He said he understands the students’ action since they did not know the reason behind Jones’ sacking. He said he learnt after she was given the letter, Jones went around the school informing persons of her termination. He is of the opinion that she instigated the protest action.

“And for that she could be charged for causing this unrest, but I will not pursue it because I think it is petty,” stated Smith. Smith is not denying that Jones did not have a rapport with students – but he believes that because of her ‘light-handedness’ the students took her for granted.

He acknowledged that Jones was employed by his security firm for about two months after he won the tender to provide 24 hours security to the school from the school’s previous security guard company, All Island Security and Jones’ previous employer.

Part of Top Priority’s responsibility is to ensure no one enters the school compound without proper identification and students are dressed properly at all times.

According to Smith, Jones should have acted more professionally by contacting him so that they could have negotiated something, but instead she blew any chance of being rehired.

When the StandPoint contacted Jones at her home in Port Purcell, she knew of the protest action and said she did not want the students get in trouble on her behalf. However, she pointed out that their action demonstrated the willingness to stand up for what they believe in. She recalled the reaction she felt when she received the letter, “I felt horrible, I felt like my whole life cave in. I disciplined these children with love. I have been working at that school for 16 years and I did not get the respect, I earned it. I treat these children like they are my own… I want my job back that is the only thing that I have known for the past 16 years. I just love to be around the children,” Jones said in a quivering voice.

The fired guard who has seen thousands of students pass through the school system alluded to the fact that students need someone to relate to and look for guidance. 

Also what is irking Jones, is the fact that she was never warned about her alleged ‘disrespectful’ behaviour at any time. She refuted claims of any meetings held to discuss her attitude towards the job. However, she admitted, like in any new working environment there are adjustments to be made.   

“However, I was never warned and that is the thing that is eating me, I never got a memo. So my question is what is the real reason I got fired?”

She reiterated that she was never disrespectful to any of her supervisors. 

Reaction to protest    

The protection action by the students got mixed reviews by onlookers, one parent of a second form student said if she had seen her daughter in the crowd she would have been in big trouble.  While another parent felt the students’ had a right to exercise their democratic right.

One teacher of the school was amazed by the camaraderie shown by the students. “This is the first time they have actually come together to do something. We never realised how much they loved this woman.”

So what would happen to the students who were involved in the protest action?

The entire incident was recorded and according to the Principal, Barbara Turnbull it will be reviewed. However, she remained tightlipped as to what disciplinary action will be taken.

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