In a recent government meeting, parents and educators from Inter American Magnet School voiced serious concerns regarding the leadership of Principal Juan Carlos Zayas. Jennifer Avery Imani, a parent and advocate for the school's educators, highlighted a troubling atmosphere of intimidation and fear among staff, citing a lack of professionalism and poor leadership as key issues. She reported that many teachers feel unable to speak up about critical needs, such as the request for an additional crossing guard, due to fear of retaliation.

Imani's testimony was supported by fellow parent Marina Santino, who described a significant decline in morale and an exodus of dedicated teachers since Zayas took over. Santino criticized the principal for mismanaging the school budget, which resulted in essential classroom supplies being unavailable despite leftover funds from the previous year. She also raised concerns about overcrowded classrooms, with first graders crammed into classes of 28 and 29 students, a stark increase from the previous maximum of 21.

Greg Cohen, another parent, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the lack of communication and transparency from Zayas, particularly regarding recent changes to the fifth-grade structure that were not communicated to parents in a timely manner. He noted that the Local School Council (LSC) had recently passed a vote of no confidence against Zayas, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership.

The testimonies from these parents paint a concerning picture of the current state of Inter American Magnet School, with calls for an investigation into Zayas's leadership and a demand for a safe and nurturing environment for both students and educators. The community is urging immediate action to address these issues and restore confidence in the school's administration.