Desert Mirage High School principal speaks on job loss

As more than 100 students and parents protested administrative cuts at the Coachella Valley Unified School District board meeting, one of the people now without a job watched quietly.

“In my 12 years as an administrator, I’ve never done anything illegal, immoral, unethical. Nor did my team,” former Desert Mirage High School principal Dr. Marrio Walker said.

He and Desert Mirage High School vice principal Max Friedman and Coachella Valley High School principal, Mary Velasco, lost their jobs.

“I have no idea, it would be speculation at this point,” Walker said.

He joins hundreds of angry parents and students — also with no idea why they’re out a principal.

“Kids are supposed to feel safe with going to the principal and counselors, and how can we do that when they’re constantly being switched in and out of the schools?”

Dr. Walker clarified his situation. After the district told him it is going in another direction with leadership…

“I was not fired, I submitted my resignation Monday. I’m going to be looking at other options outside the district when my contract ends,” Walker said.

It ends in just a few months, June 30th. He will not finish out the year, though.

“We obviously wish it was handled differently, end of the year instead of mid year, but it’s their decision and their right,” he said. “I’m disappointed for our staff. We were doing a lot of great things.”

With pride, Dr. Walker recalled his team’s contributions to desert mirage.

“We’ve raised test scores, more students passing, more students getting into college,” he said.

“I will never forget and will forever be grateful to this community,” he said.