Complaints range from ‘authoritarian’ hostility to ‘lack of empathy’
By Eric Valentine
Dissatisfied with official school district response to and handling of a number of ongoing issues, a group of concerned parents, teachers, and citizens hosted what they termed a Leadership Crisis Meetup—a listening opportunity Monday night for state leaders to hear the complaints some say district leadership has “willfully ignored.”
The session culminated with an announcement that a Change.org petition is being circulated by parents, teachers, and citizens asking the school district’s board of trustees to remove Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes “for cause” before the start of next school year. Being fired for cause would mean the embattled superintendent would receive no severance pay.
“Restore the joy, vitality and exceptional teaching that once characterized BCSD,” the three-page petition asks trustees.
“They’ll either do it or face the proper consequences in November,” said Will Gardenswartz, referring to the three trustees who have seats expiring this year.
Gardenswartz is a central figure of the parent-teacher group called I-Care that had been organized after a number of similar, negative experiences with Holmes made waves throughout the district over the past few years. The father of a high school student who was allegedly bullied assumed a fake identity—Cynthia Cignero—on social media to organize parents and teachers who say they experienced similar negative treatment by district officials. Gardenswartz said he feared retribution by the district had he been up front about his true identity at first.
Roughly 120 people filled the Event Barn at Mountain Humane to hear firsthand accounts from several speakers that ranged from complaints about harassment and retaliation by Holmes and other district staff to ineffectiveness when it comes to spending and how it relates to student performance. The session was originally slated for about 40 attendees at the Wood River Inn in Hailey, but organizers quickly realized they needed a larger venue once word of the event got out.
Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, Idaho State Representative Muffy Davis, and Blaine County Commissioner Angenie McCleary were invited and on hand to hear the complaints. None of the leaders were slated to speak, but it didn’t stop their constituents from asking them to consider introducing bills at the state level that could constrain school districts from creating policy they say violates the rights of parents, students and employees.
Although organizers did not invite school district administrators or other school officials to be part of the meetup, two school board trustees did attend: chairman Rob Clayton and trustee Ryan Degn.
“My first intention of being here is to apologize for the poor job of leadership on my part,” Clayton said. “I want you to know there is someone in authority who understands your fears exist.”
The Complaints
A number of specific, firsthand accounts by parents and teachers were presented at Monday night’s event. What follows is the general themes and the school district’s official response in italics.
Fear of retribution: Parents claimed that the superintendent has final approval on a number of scholarships students can be awarded. Some parents worry their child will be negatively impacted if they complain.
The Superintendent has not served on any scholarship committees in the last two years. She works to raise money with Rotary for the Hailey Rotary Scholarships.
Frustration with district policy: Teachers and other district employees complained that the district’s grievance process stymies the grievances they make.
The grievance process was developed by teachers, administrators and trustees as part of the Master Agreement during negotiations held in public.
Increased spending: Meeting organizers distributed a four-page handout addressing their concerns about increases in administrative costs and the lack of increase in student performance.
Spending has decreased in the last four years. The budget was reduced by $2.5 million two years ago and this will be the third year the budget has been balanced.
Disappearing emails: More than one person at the meeting said emails regarding their issues with the district had been deleted from their personal inbox.
The district cannot delete an email from a person’s personal inbox. For employee emails, there is a district electronic use policy that was developed by the policy committee and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Talent drain: Teachers and other educators noted that they have had to retire or resign from their positions due to workplace hostilities.
Our average retirement and turnover rate has remained within the same range since prior to the current Superintendent’s arrival.
In a statement to The Weekly Sun, the district also said, “The Board of Trustees decides on policies based on recommendations from a team of teachers, administrators and community members. Those meetings are always noticed and open to the public. If there are policies in place that are harming staff, the policy committee can revisit those. Retaliation is not allowed. Period. The Master Agreement, developed by teachers, administrators and Board members, has a clear process in place for grievances. Retaliation for someone filing a grievance is not allowed. If there’s evidence of retaliation, our staff need to let their supervisors know.”