FHS Grad Creates Petition Calling for Principal's Resignation

A Framingham High graduate started a petition this weekend calling for the resignations of the high school principal, superintendent of schools and the Middlesex District Attorney to resign, following the report of two sexual assaults at the high school last spring.

"As an alumni of Framingham High School, I have always viewed the school as a positive force for the students attending. Now the school, principal, superintendent, and even the Middlesex District Attorney are covering up the sexual assault of two young students. Leaders do not act in this way. Cowards do," wrote Edward Hipson on Change.org, where he started the petition.

Framingham Patch tried to contact Hipson for an interview about his petition, but was unable to reach him this Easter weekend.

As of midnight, more than 50 individuals had signed the petition.

Last Wednesday morning, a group of

On Thursday night, a group of

"The school has not only allowed sexual assault to go unpunished but forsaken its very purpose: education. When any event occurs in a school, students learn from the aftermath, and (Framingham High School Principal Mike) Welch has failed to do his job responsibly. He has failed to support the victims. He has failed to teach the student body that violence against women is unacceptable in our society. Instead, young men have learned that they will be impervious to the consequences of their actions, and young women have seen that the institutions that should protect do not care about them," wrote Hipson on change.org.

"The school has failed in the mission of education, and needs to right its wrongs. Any part of the school, town, or county unwilling to stand up for women, does not belong in public service. If you are from Framingham, sign this petition. The victims and the entire student body are suffering as a result of the school failing in its responsibilities. Anyone involved in covering up the assaults should resign, specifically Principal Michael Welch, Superintendent Stacy Scott, and District Attorney Gerry Leone," concluded Hipson.

Editor's Note: Middlesex District Attorney Leone announced in January he would not run for re-election and earlier this month announced he would leave office early for a new job.

Editor's Note: Scott was not superintendent of schools when the two sexual assaults were reported in the spring of 2012.

On Thursday night, Scott issued a statement on the reported sexual assaults.

On Good Friday, when schools were closed, as well.