School Board secretary Barbara Thompson broke the silence today and submitted an letter to the editor of the Indy Star. Her full letter can be read on the IndyStar site.
I believe that I am being misunderstood by those who claim that my vote to suspend Perry Township Schools Superintendent Doug Williams was cast out of revenge or as a personal vendetta. Williams has publicly stated: “I am the board and the board is me.” How would mediation with someone who thinks in those terms be successful? It is my opinion that great leaders lift people up and seek a solution to a problem, not berate people and seek a place for blame. It is time for leadership that seeks solutions and maintains a balance of compassion for all and not only for those who sit in agreement.
How do you know mediation wouldn’t work unless you’ve actually tried it? I think if his attitude was that, then it would come out and be seen by others and then you’d have some facts to base your actions on. But, because you’re not willing to try mediation and work through these things, you’re going to spend $1M+ on removing him with no procedural policies or plans being followed. Your accusations against him are exactly some of the things you and the other three board members are now practicing publicly. Running rampant with nobody in control and unwise spending of school funds. I believe we have plenty of facts to confirm a guilty label for your actions.
My decision for seeking a position on the Perry Township School Board was as a concerned parent with children in the Perry Meridian Middle School.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but she doesn’t have any kids in the school system right now does she?
I want to thank those who are willing to be patient and understand that I would never seek to make such a serious change without just cause. Thank you for having the wisdom to support a parent who cares for all of our children.
I believe we’ve all been very patient. It’s time to start seeing the facts and official allegations behind your actions.
As we found out today on the “Abdul in the Morning” talk show on 1430 AM. Barbara Thompson doesn’t even respond to e-mails sent to her board member e-mail account. Instead, her husband does. I believe this is a blatant violation of school board policy. I’ve also seen some of the e-mails that have been sent by Mr. Thompson, trust me, from what I’ve read you’ve never met a more venomous and angry person. EXACTLY NOT the type of person I want to have ANY involvement with children in our school system.
IF you have valid reasons then what are they? And what leadership does this board bring to the table? What are your personal qualifications Barb? Perception is reality and the perception that this board is giving off is that they want to prove that hey have power. This “feel sorry for me” letter to the editor is weak if all you can come up with is “I am the board and the board is me”! This sounds petty at best. WHAT ARE THE FACTS??!! What are you hiding from this community that justifies your actions?? The more time that passes without answers to these questions, the worse it will get for you people! If you want support then you need to have the courage to be HONEST and you need to start exhibiting some actual leadership traits. I have yet to see this.
I have an answer to Mrs. Thompson’s question. She asks how do you mediate with a superintendent who makes the comment “I am the board and the board is me” ? The anser is very simple - WITH A MEDIATOR. The mediator would correct the superintendent and tell him that those remarks are out of line. That he is NOT the board but needs to work with the board. It would be that easy. If Dr. Williams made that comment then I, a Williams supporter, will admit that he was at fault in regard to that comment. But Mrs. Thompson thinks this remark warrants termination of a very successful career?
I have tried to contact each of the four board members several times by phone who have voted to terminate Dr. Williams, and not one has returned a call to hear what I a Perry township voter views are.
So Ms.Thompson is telling me my opinion doesn’t concern her, and apparently only what she thinks and wants is important.