Editor:
After watching the Edmonds School Board meeting virtually on April 12, I am beyond dismayed, unhappy, disappointed and frustrated by the board’s decision relative to choosing an interim superintendent.
Initially, the board stated that a firm would be hired and stakeholders would be involved in the process and internal staff would be considered for the position. Two weeks later it appears you have made the decision that internal staff would not be considered and that you have somehow independently found two potential candidates. Those two potential candidates are being kept “secret,” no names given and apparently being interviewed in secrecy. All this in a district where staff morale is low and a significant number of staff have quit or given notice to do so soon.
School Board President Nancy Katims stated that the board’s decision “will not make everyone happy.” She is correct! This decision sends a loud and clear message to current staff that they are not deserving to be considered for any advancement within the district. This decision tells all those from out of the district, that if they join our district, they are not eligible for future advancement! Unfortunately this decision also indicates to the students, staff and administration that the board does not care to hear their opinions.
I grew up in this district decades ago. Edmonds was always a highly respected school district, one that people wanted their kids to attend and teachers and administrators wanted to work in. Unfortunately, this is not the case presently.
I implore the board to rethink their decision. Be transparent in what you are doing! Look for the best people to fill the open positions, regardless from where they come. Be honest with the public on how you went from hiring a firm to do the search to somehow having your chosen two finalists, all within two weeks.
We deserve better from you.
Marilyn Sutton
Edmonds
I was confused when I first moved to Edmonds. I had thought that our property taxes went to support Edmonds school children only. It is deceptive not make it clear that that our taxes pay for a much larger area including 4 cities. It might be best to drop the name Edmonds and be honest from here on out.
Thank you Marilyn Sutton for your heartfelt and spot on comments. There is no need for me to elaborate, you said it perfectly.
This decision seems poised to repeat itself over and over, the board’s job is not lie to the public or the staff, Hiring within has to be implemented! Why work for a system that doesn’t believe in the fantastic staff that has worked tirelessly to provide a safe environment for all to learn under ever changing rules! They should take all the applicants.
And allow the staff to interview them and select who they want to work with! You see how your last Pick ended up! Wake up and DO YOUR JOB!
There are plenty of credible and deserving applicants within the district. I know — let’s choose a school board from outside of the district.
I think that your call for more transparency is really valid and I do believe that hiring from within should be the first thought. But I do also want to point out that maybe the board did look at this first and thought that it might not be best for our district at this time based on the information they have. I have listened to a few board meetings lately and the district has received a lot of negative feedback regarding some programs. I can only attribute this negative feedback is due to the upper administrators implementing changes that have have now created the situation. Based on that feedback, I think that it might be valid to look externally in an effort to not create a larger problem. It appears to me that the district is saying that they do not believe that they have someone at this time to lead from inside the organization and based on the information I have heard at these meeting, it seems like a legitimate concern.
I also hope that the board will do a more thorough job vetting the people that they are considering based on the last process that has not ended well with a superintendent leaving after two years. I think this is a BIG problem and we should strive to not allow this to happen again because of the disruption it is now providing to our district.
Thank you, Marilyn Sutton, for your insightful comments. As someone who has been involved with the ESD for 41 years, first as a parent and for the past 22 years as an employee, I am deeply disheartened. The growing disconnect between ground level workers in the schools and those making central office decisions is devastating. Please continue to pay attention and speak out for those of us whose voices are not heard.