It’s hard to tell what’s really happening at JHS 80, a school that became fodder for the New York Post and touched off responses from legislators and the city Department of Education. The Op-Ed submitted to the Norwood News about the school itself (see below) has generated more than 100 comments.

There’s the one story where JHS 80, under the leadership of principal Emmanuel Polanco, has been saved from academic ruin; then there’s the story that describes JHS 80 as a “hellhole.” That storyline has been emphasized by a $2 million lawsuit against Polanco as described in the Post’s recent no-holds-barred article.

It’s undeniable that we’ve fallen into a he-said-she-said story where the only way to determine what’s really happening at the school is bonafide evidence that will be presented as solid proof of a school in turmoil or redemption. But someone needs to stand up. At the moment, it’s the teachers and students coming to the defense.

We encourage anyone with information to send an email to our editor, dcruz@norwoodnews.org, or call (718) 324-4998 to discuss the matter. One thing’s for sure: we’ll be keeping a closer eye on the school.