It has been more than half a century since they graduated from Gibbs High School. Many of the Class of 1951 have donated money and time to various projects at their alma mater, which reopened in January after extensive renovation. So when they planned their latest class reunion, the aging alumni wanted to tour the new campus.
Not during school hours, principal Herman "Doc" Allen told them. A tour for 25 70-somethings, he said, was too disruptive.
Besides, Allen said, he had to be careful about allowing anyone who was not screened from having contact with kids. He said he wasn't suggesting that any of the alumni had a criminal record.
"We have great respect for that group," he said. "But we treated them no differently from any other group."
His decision left the alumni shaken.
"They just wanted to see the facility," said classmate Johnnie Welch, a retired educator and onetime principal of Perkins and North Shore elementary schools. "I think it's ridiculous, really. Gibbs High School is a community school. Regardless of who the administrator is, it belongs to the community."
The class of 1951, which called its weekend reunion "Salute to the Trailblazers," long had hoped to see the new $46.6-million campus - the most expensive high school ever built in Pinellas. Some came from as far away as Chicago and Massachusetts.
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/05/Southpinellas/_51_grads_barred_from.shtml
Not during school hours, principal Herman "Doc" Allen told them. A tour for 25 70-somethings, he said, was too disruptive.
Besides, Allen said, he had to be careful about allowing anyone who was not screened from having contact with kids. He said he wasn't suggesting that any of the alumni had a criminal record.
"We have great respect for that group," he said. "But we treated them no differently from any other group."
His decision left the alumni shaken.
"They just wanted to see the facility," said classmate Johnnie Welch, a retired educator and onetime principal of Perkins and North Shore elementary schools. "I think it's ridiculous, really. Gibbs High School is a community school. Regardless of who the administrator is, it belongs to the community."
The class of 1951, which called its weekend reunion "Salute to the Trailblazers," long had hoped to see the new $46.6-million campus - the most expensive high school ever built in Pinellas. Some came from as far away as Chicago and Massachusetts.
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/05/Southpinellas/_51_grads_barred_from.shtml
