Protesters Push for Resignation of Morehouse Parish Superintendent of Schools

A school board committee meeting in Bastrop on Thursday night drew half-a-dozen protesters demanding the resignation of Morehouse Parish Superintendent of schools, Tom Thrower.

Members of a civil rights organization allege Thrower is responsible for inadequate educational progress in the district, unfair treatment of African American students and failure to promote African American employees.

Despite the small turnout, the National Action Network says it will turn up the heat on the superintendent.

Protesters Demand the Ouster of Tom Thrower

But with only six people supporting the cause, the event was a quiet one. Still, the meeting flared with calls for the superintendent to step down.

Board member Robert Fenceroy appealed three times for a vote to remove Thrower.

Fenceroy ultimately introduced a motion to remove the superintendent, but couldn’t get another board member to second it.  

State director for the National Action Network, Clifton Lemelle, says that although Thrower’s contract expires in June, the superintendent needs to resign.

“We feel that there should be more African-Americans hired in a predominantly black school district. And this hasn’t happened. And, so therefore tonight, what we’re looking for that the superintendent would adhere to the wishes of the community, which we represent, to step down for the betterment of education in Morehouse Parish.”

The superintendent did not acknowledge the protesters. Thrower also refused to speak to KEDM.

Protester Shonda Lollie has three children in Morehouse Parish schools. She says she’s been frustrated in her attempts to communicate with the superintendent.

“I tried to go and volunteer my time in the classroom and assist the teacher, and also see what kind of environment my child is in each day. I was not allowed to go into the classroom at all. And I went to the superintendent’s office – his secretary said he was not in, and I asked her to have him please call. And I haven’t heard from him since. And it’s been about a month.” 

The National Action Network says its next steps may include mobilizing membership from its branches across the country.