The students left the school about lunchtime to join Ryan K. Commerson, a former MSD substitute teacher, in a protest in front of the school, located off Miller Road near Hammerberg Road.

Students who walked out were warned and then given a 1 1/2-day suspension. Their parents were called to the residential school to get them Monday evening, said Martin Ackley, spokesman for the state Department of Education, which runs MSD.

Commerson, who is deaf, started his protest outside the school. He said he is on a hunger strike until his demands are met, and he will consume only water and juice.

Commerson of Rochester has a series of demands he wants met. He was a substitute teacher at the school for about 1 1/2 years and is a part-time instructor at Mott Community College.

"I cannot tolerate the daily occurrence of language deprivation any longer," he wrote in an e-mail to the media. "Let us all unite and take a stand. No more language deprivation for the deaf children in this state of Michigan. Let us step up for the entire deaf education system in this country."

The demands include hiring a deaf principal at MSD and hiring school staff and a school administrator, who oversees the school and principal, with fluency in American Sign Language.

MSD Principal Cecelia Winkler is not deaf but is fluent in ASL. She taught at the school for about 23 years before becoming principal in 2000. Winkler referred questions to Ackley.

"(Winkler) is a well-liked and highly respected educator there," Ackley said. "The issue is more of a cultural one for some in the deaf community."

MSD officials have tried to meet with Commerson, but he canceled a planned meeting and did not reschedule, Ackley said. Commerson said he canceled the meeting because the school refused to videotape the session.

By Matt Bach
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