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“Excellent. I’m happy to see you do your due diligence with his admission that one of his employees coerced Ms. Winter into taking the photographs and that she refused numerous times.”
The two of them looked at each other and then Joanna. Both kept their mouths shut.
“And I would also assume that, as a school and being decent human beings, you have considered the message not reinstating Ms. Winter tells the world? Particularly that you do not support a woman’s right to say no. Would you like to comment on this?”
“Well, of course we don’t…” The sound of footsteps came closer to the door as the rest of the Board grouped behind these two unfortunate souls.
“Was it…” A voice trailed off as whoever spoke must have gotten a good look at Joanna and recognized her.
“And I almost forgot to inform you, but if everyone would like to peer out the windows in the direction of the quad, there are an amazing number of families and students here in support of Ms. Winter. Do you have a statement for them?”
Mr. Parsons shifted to the side of the room where I could see him and gave me a thumbs up. Apparently in his estimation, all of this was shifting the vote in my favor. Hope burst through me for the first time all week.
“No comment,” stated the Head of the Board as he moved to the front of the group.
“I understand.” Joanna flashed him a smile that for a second looked very shark-like in its intensity. “Then perhaps you’d like to discuss the rumors circulating about your current principal and his extracurricular activities?”
The members of the Board’s expressions ranged from shock to frustration to anger. If my emotions weren’t such a mess right now, I might have started laughing. Quickly, like a group of lemmings, they filed back into the room and slammed the door shut.
Beckett hugged me tight and Zoey grabbed onto my arm as I made my way to the group of parents so I could thank them for their support. And I’d eventually make my way outside to speak to the crowd there.
My throat tightened in gratitude. Regardless of what happened today, I would never forget this moment.
For the next hour, we waited for the Board to emerge with their verdict. I had a feeling that without the media present when they emerged earlier from the room, their answer might have been no.
Parents cycled in and out of the space, showing me their support. I was amazed that in my short time working at the school I’d made such an impact on the parents I’d met. Many of my colleagues were there too. I was touched by the way they championed me, knowing that by supporting me they could get in trouble with Principal Olsen.
When the door opened, the first person to emerge was Mr. Parsons, the parent I’d been working with. He gave me a subtle wink that made my chest swell with hope. He wouldn't do that unless they voted in my favor, would he?
Beckett took my hand in his. I squeezed so hard I probably cut off circulation to his fingers.
The Chairperson of the Board strode through the door next. His wide smile focused directly at Joanna and the waiting camera. “I’m pleased that you all could stay while we deliberated such a serious complaint. Our Board and the entire school community of Kensington Preparatory Academy doesn’t make any decision lightly. So without further ado, I’d like to speak to Ms. Winter.”
Zoey grabbed my other hand and tugged me forward. Beckett and I had no choice but to follow along.
“Ms. Winter, while upholding the utmost professionalism is our expectation for every employee, we had to think long and hard about how someone’s previous actions might affect their position with us today.”
I swallowed hard.
“In your case, with the eyewitness statements of the individuals who worked for the company producing the photos in question and those from the parents of our school in support of you, we are delighted to offer your position as second-grade teacher back.”
Cheers erupted around us.
Beckett and Zoey hugged me tight.
I jumped as a low roar of voices yelling and cheering began and quickly got louder outside on the quad. Within a minute, it was deafening. I assumed someone inside here must have called or texted an individual waiting in the crowd for the news.
Another member of the Board cleared their throat loudly to get our attention.
“Thank you,” I whispered, and let out a relieved breath.
Zoey and Beckett moved back to their place by my side so I could continue to hear what else was said.
The Chairperson’s eyes locked on my hands linked with Beckett and Zoey’s.
My spine stiffened and I drew myself up to my full height. I was not hiding my relationship any longer and waited to hear what they had to say about it.
“While we don’t encourage relationships between our staff and a parent, it is not against our policy to do so.” He stopped talking as gasps rippled throughout the crowd.