By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – The unexplained absence of Marlborough High School (MHS) Assistant Principal Adam Bakr has students looking for answers. Bakr, an administrator at the school for several years, has been noticeably missing from the school for more than two months.
Current and former MHS students have taken to cyberspace, with a “Bring Bakr Back” Facebook group boasting 584 “likes” and an online petition with 424 signatures. The pages are filled with messages from students and supporters of the administrator, along with copies of emails and petitions asking the school and city officials to bring Bakr back.
The petition reads: “In late 2011, assistant principal Bakr was put on administrative leave. Mr. Bakr has earned a lot of respect from the student body throughout his years of being an assistant principal. If it were not for him, a large amount of students would not have graduated. He is someone who everyone looks up to and someone who everyone generally loves. Mr. Bakr needs to be where he belongs, doing what he loves, helping students reach their full potential, and that place is Marlborough High School. Sign this petition, and it will be sent to the school committee members and Superintendent Dr. Pope. So we ask the school committee and Superintendent Dr. Pope to please return Mr. Bakr to his original post, as Assistant Principal at Marlborough High School.
The Facebook page features a video taken by a student of a sit-in demonstration students staged at the school in January.
According to the Facebook group and website, students have been contacting district administrators and School Committee members inquiring about Bakr's whereabouts, but haven's been given solid answers.
As a show of support, students recently painted “The Rock” on Route 85 entering Hudson with the same simple message: Bring Bakr Back. In addition, “BBB” shirts are being sold with the proceeds going to posters, paint, markers and other materials that will be used to create signs in support of Bakr.
Students who wish to voice their thoughts about the Bakr absence are encouraged to attend the School Committee meeting to be held tonight – Feb. 14 – at the Marlborough Early Childhood Center, 17 Washington St. at 7:30 p.m.
