5/5/12 Letter posted on Freedom Academy Governing Board website

The following letter has just been published on Freedom Academy's website:

Concerning Open Communication from the Board ›

May 5, 2012
Dear Parents, Neighbors and Interested Community:

In recent weeks,  some confusion has developed about the intentions and responsibilities between the Administration of the school and the Governing Board (the Board). It has been suggested that the Board is having meetings to plan the expansion of the school without public input. Also, some feel that emailing the Board without a quick response is evidence that the Board is not listening to parent/neighbor concerns.



In the matter pertaining to the Freedom Academy expansion, the Board directed the administration of the school to first adequately solve the traffic and safety issues and to, if the Administration chooses, come back to the Board with the next steps including a contract to be publicly debated and voted on. The Board is not involved in the daily affairs of the school nor is the board meeting or making plans about the expansion one way or another.

All activity of the Board is a matter of public record and must be conducted openly. Individuals on the board cannot speak for the Board or bind the board.  Anything a board member says outside of a formal Board meeting should be considered personal opinion and not official.  This is why messages sent to the Board often have no responses other than, perhaps, a thank-you note that it was received.

Please know that the Board, while retaining their varying personal opinions on the matter, is not single mindedly pushing one way or another. These issues have been a source of healthy, respectful debate among the Board in our meetings. It is our hope that these issues remain a source of healthy, respectful debate in our community, among our parents and neighbors as well.

Many members of our neighborhood want to help and assist, especially with the potential expansion project. Opinions are being shared and voices are being heard. That being said, we request that you continue to work with the administration of the school.

Summary:
The Governing Board is not involved in the daily affairs of the school. There have been a few key high-level meetings with city/state officials in which Board members have been in attendance at the request of those officials.  The Administration, however, is actively involved and may or may not request the board to consider plans for an expansion in an upcoming public meeting. It is in that meeting, in full view of all who attend, that all information, plans, contracts are to be fully disclosed, discussed, public comment invited, board debate, and, if a motion is filed, and seconded, a vote can be made to proceed or not.

The Board itself is not working on or against the expansion, though it should be noted that members of the Board have participated on various committees that involve the expansion. The Administration is responsible for any and all action until the next public board meeting. As we’ve stated, we hope you’ll take advantage of the Administration’s open door policy.

We invite you to attend the next meeting and bring interested people with you. We also hope you will continue to work with the Administration directly between now and the meeting, and afterward.