The results of a student election at San Francisco middle school are being withheld because the principal feels the results don't reflect the school's diversity.
"That is concerning to me because as principal I want to make sure all voices are heard from all backgrounds," Everett Middle School Principal Lena Van Haren said to KTVU about the October 10 vote. Everett's campus is in the Mission and 80% of its student body are students of color. "We're not nullifying the election, we're not canceling the election and we're not saying this didn't count," she added, and said that a meeting would be scheduled on Wednesday between students and administrators to determine what would be the best way to move forward. One idea being considered is adding more positions.
"That should have been something that was decided prior to elections and prior to the campaigning process," said Bianca Gutierrez, whose son ran for 7th grade class representative. "The organizers are saying things like, 'We want everyone's voice to be heard,' but in truth, the voters' voices are not being heard," student Sebastian Kaplan, who also ran for 7th grade class representative, told KRON. "Most kids are in agreement that the results need to come out because kids worked really hard on it."
