Dear Editor,
Many people have questions about what has happened in Williston School District # 29.
Why would three school board members want to terminate the contract of a strong and dedicated leader, Ms. Clamp, in the middle of the school year?
Why would they spend thousands of dollars of the district’s funds on lawyer fees, an interim superintendent, and “sabbatical” pay? The cost of the interim superintendent will be $425.00 per day through June 2012. The school board now has to spend $11,000 to have the SCSBA find them qualified canidates for the permanent superintendent position. This is in addition to paying Ms. Clamp her salary through June 2012. Is this their idea of fiscal responsibility during economic hard times?
Why would three board members ignore outside professional sources who underscored in the November meeting the fact that the district, under Ms. Clamp’s guidance, has done exceptionally well both academically and financially?
Why would they ignore the past board members, educators, principals, students and parents who spoke in support of Ms. Clamp’s effective and caring leadership?
Some people think that there must be a reason, that there must be something these three board members know that we don’t. The truth is that there is no legitimate reason for what they did.
If there had truly been a valid reason, all five board members would have been in favor. Instead, two were strongly opposed to the other three’s actions.
Unfortunately, to vote a superintendent out, there does not have to be a reason. All it takes is for three of the five members to agree. Ms. Clamp has devoted her life to our district and its students, and she deserved to be treated with professionalism and courtesy. This fiasco has been an embarrassment to a community and district that has always been able to hold its head high. Mostly, it is sad for the students and community to be disrupted in this manner by three board members.
As seen in other districts, problems arise when board members try to micro-manage and push their own agenda. Power in the wrong hands is dangerous.
Ms. Clamp and the other two board members have handled themselves with dignity throughout the situation. They are holding their heads high because they know what was done was wrong and an injustice.
It is imperative that we take school board elections seriously and vote for only those who have proven their maturity, wisdom, and integrity. While this letter is signed by only one person, it represents the views and opinions of many voting Williston residents.
These three board members may think that as time goes by, people will forget about what they have done. They will be reminded on election day that voters do not have short term memories.
Greg Walkup
Williston