Dear Members of the USD 232 Board of Education,
As an elected official in an unpaid position, thank you for your service. I am sure most of you are mindful of the fact that although you are chosen to represent your constituents, your post is won by popular vote in the event you face any opposition. As such, your voice is not necessarily representative of my voice. However, as an elected official, you are trusted to truly represent the views of your populace, leaving your personal views aside.
The news of the resignation of Dr. Doug Sumner as our superintendent is inarguably against the wishes of all parents and teachers within USD 232. This is a tremendous loss and blow to our district. During Dr. Sumner’s tenure at USD 232, as you know, the state slashed funding numerous times, and parents were asked more and more to contribute supplies and time to ensure our children would continue to get an education that clearly supersedes what the State has determined to be worthy. As much as parents were willing to donate their time and resources, we cannot supplement our teachers’ salaries, nor can we pay them what they deserve. When you spend a mere 30 minutes in the classroom, it is clear theirs is a job of passion, not financial gain. Our teachers kept their posts, despite offers in other districts of higher pay, and I firmly believe it was because of Dr. Sumner’s leadership.
When the news of Dr. Sumner’s resignation was made known, the first series of questions were “Why? What happened?” There is plenty of blame to be had.
1. Shame on me for not attending the BOE meetings to personally witness reports now of inappropriate behavior by a board member. Shame on me for believing an elected official would put his personal agenda aside and truly work for the best interests of the people he is supposed to prioritize—the faculty, staff, and students. Shame on anyone who did not vote to prevent this person’s election into this position, and shame on those to did vote for him to put him there. To this end, I will remain silent no more. My voice will be heard, directly from me.
2. Shame on Scott Hancock for his clearly inappropriate behavior—lacking professionalism, respect, or any degree of decorum. Shame on him for using his position to push out Dr. Sumner. It is far too late to do anything to bring Dr. Sumner back, nor would I expect him to return, given the lack of respect he was given. To this end, I ask this board member to resign with dignity. I am unclear as to what agenda you were trying to achieve, but your purpose was achieved, and your “work here is done”, so to speak. I am asking that you step down with dignity before I take formal measures to have you removed from your post. You do not reflect the views of the people you have been elected and trusted to represent. If you truly believe your views represent those of people in our community, it is repugnant in the extreme.
3. Shame on any person for having allowed that board member to have so much authority, to cross so many boundaries. Our children are taught a zero tolerance policy regarding disrespect, yet this person was allowed to behave in a manner so reprehensible it moved Dr. Sumner to resign from his position. If a child behaved in this manner, that child would expect to be faced with severe consequences.
Our community has been dealt a severe blow with the loss of Dr. Sumner as superintendent. I wish Dr. Sumner the best as he moves into his next position, though his loss will be felt deeply. I hope that as we move forward, we learn from what has happened. I, for one, will be heard.
Regards,
Anh-Nguyet Nguyen
