NBC 26

Ellis VS Preble

CREATED Jan. 26, 2012 - UPDATED: Jan. 26, 2012

Green Bay, WI - State Senator Mike Ellis is backtracking tonight after some critical statements bashing Green Bay's Preble High School. Below is the video that landed on a political blog on YouTube from a Madison bar apparently talking about school vouchers in Green Bay with another politician. The Republican from Neenah called Preble a sewer and having "all the poor people."

The comments have students at Preble outraged.

"I know I speak for students, when I say I've been misrepresented and we are furious at how poverty is being seen as a crime, when people don't choose to be in poverty, some people just can't help it,” said Jessica Fragle, a Preble High School student.

About a dozen teachers, students and staff members spoke at a press conference Thursday afternoon. They spoke about the pride they have for their school, both academically and through diversity.

"This was a blatant disrespectful comment made towards us, and we are not some poverty possum like he called us, we are one united front, and proud to be hornets today,” said Priya Navani, a Preble student.

"I'm so proud to be a staff member at Preble High School,” said Patti Grobarchik, a teacher at Preble. “I'm so proud to teach with the people I see."

Senator Ellis said he was just using Preble for a model in reference to a school voucher program.

"I used Preble as an example, bad, bad idea,” he said. “Preble is not a failing school. I know they're now a failing school. They're an excellent school and I have apologized. And I have apologized in the form of a letter to the principal."

But the principal said she doesn’t feel his apology was sincere.

"I don't find his letter to be an apology, but rather an attempt at an apology,” said Natasha Rowell.

Principal Rowell said she wants Sen. Ellis to visit the school to see what kind of students and programs they offer. Sen. Ellis tells NBC26 he has plans to visit the school in the future.

The "Green Bay Area Public School District" released a statement Thursday, concerning the controversial Preble comments. They say, "The elected officials were basing their discussions and decisions on grossly inaccurate information that has the potential to divide our Green Bay community and destroy public education in Green Bay."