Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Of Employers and Employees
It would seem that a school board hires a director to implement official school policy as legislated by the board. Policy decisions are made by a group, using their collective wisdom. This group is drawn from a variety of backgrounds, united by a dedication to the mission of the school.
But policies are easy; implementation is more difficult. A director must implement the policies within the confines of state and federal law. That will mean designating protocols and subsidiary policies. For instance, a board can proclaim a policy such as “maintain an environment conducive to learning.” It is up to the director to decide if allowing hair ribbons, or striped socks or IPods after school infringe upon that environment. It is also for the director to decide how many detention an offense will merit.
But a charter school director operates also under the shadow of various and sundry contractual arrangements. A school has vendors that supply everything from computers to toilet paper. There are also infrastructure considerations: Internet access, bus contracts, legal issues.
Furthermore, a board hires a director because they have experience on the ground dealing with these issues. Day to day experience with typical school issues and practical wisdom to apply to new issues that arise. After all, on a board of business people, teachers and parents, who has the skills needed to run a school? Administrators are well paid for a reason.
Which brings us to Eagle Ridge Academy and Ingison. The pathetic missive from the Board today was meant to smooth over the controversy by adding a veneer of respectability to the non-renewal of the Director. It has accomplished just the opposite. Their account of the “significant concerns” reveals the pettiness at work here. No reason is given. We are simply to believe that there were indeed “significant concerns.”
Recalling the discussion Tuesday night, however, it becomes clear that the actionable concerns amounted to Ingison being busy and not being willing to accept total blame for a subordinate’s serious error. Is that all? This is the stuff of performance evaluation, not grounds for non-renewal. What policy has Ingison violated? What part of the mission statement has not been upheld?
The proper response of a rational board to the allegations in Reid’s letter would have been to dismiss it as the character assassination it was and move on. A worthy employer would have supported its employee rather than undermining her. The appropriate response to the raving lunatics at these Board meetings demanding Ingison’s head would have been to show them the door. The proper response to an expiring contract for an employee who has presided over the rising of test scores, the growth of enrollment and the spread of the school’s reputation for excellence would have been to quickly resign her to a multi-year contract at a substantial raise.
Instead, the Board fell all over itself in its rush to force her out, and is now dissembling ineptly to get away with it. The only explanation is that some on the Board are in league with the screeching parents and disloyal teachers. Furthermore, there is evidence that this has been the case for some time. They collectively were willing to injure the school and defame Ingison to get their way.
And what is it that they want? Control. Have they achieved that? The May elections will be a referendum on the behavior of this Board. That will tell all.
But policies are easy; implementation is more difficult. A director must implement the policies within the confines of state and federal law. That will mean designating protocols and subsidiary policies. For instance, a board can proclaim a policy such as “maintain an environment conducive to learning.” It is up to the director to decide if allowing hair ribbons, or striped socks or IPods after school infringe upon that environment. It is also for the director to decide how many detention an offense will merit.
But a charter school director operates also under the shadow of various and sundry contractual arrangements. A school has vendors that supply everything from computers to toilet paper. There are also infrastructure considerations: Internet access, bus contracts, legal issues.
Furthermore, a board hires a director because they have experience on the ground dealing with these issues. Day to day experience with typical school issues and practical wisdom to apply to new issues that arise. After all, on a board of business people, teachers and parents, who has the skills needed to run a school? Administrators are well paid for a reason.
Which brings us to Eagle Ridge Academy and Ingison. The pathetic missive from the Board today was meant to smooth over the controversy by adding a veneer of respectability to the non-renewal of the Director. It has accomplished just the opposite. Their account of the “significant concerns” reveals the pettiness at work here. No reason is given. We are simply to believe that there were indeed “significant concerns.”
Recalling the discussion Tuesday night, however, it becomes clear that the actionable concerns amounted to Ingison being busy and not being willing to accept total blame for a subordinate’s serious error. Is that all? This is the stuff of performance evaluation, not grounds for non-renewal. What policy has Ingison violated? What part of the mission statement has not been upheld?
The proper response of a rational board to the allegations in Reid’s letter would have been to dismiss it as the character assassination it was and move on. A worthy employer would have supported its employee rather than undermining her. The appropriate response to the raving lunatics at these Board meetings demanding Ingison’s head would have been to show them the door. The proper response to an expiring contract for an employee who has presided over the rising of test scores, the growth of enrollment and the spread of the school’s reputation for excellence would have been to quickly resign her to a multi-year contract at a substantial raise.
Instead, the Board fell all over itself in its rush to force her out, and is now dissembling ineptly to get away with it. The only explanation is that some on the Board are in league with the screeching parents and disloyal teachers. Furthermore, there is evidence that this has been the case for some time. They collectively were willing to injure the school and defame Ingison to get their way.
And what is it that they want? Control. Have they achieved that? The May elections will be a referendum on the behavior of this Board. That will tell all.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
ERA Wants You!
RUN FOR THE BOARD ~
Nominations Due Friday, May 2, 2008
This a wonderful opportunity to right the wrongs of the current board. Keep watching for more candidate information and endorsements.
The board asks that you consider and recommend individuals -- or yourself -- with the competence and vision to provide skilled leadership for the Academy. Any member of
Current Board Structure
There are nine seats on our board. The current board membership includes a mix of parents, teachers, and a community expert, with a variety of professional backgrounds and competencies. Five seats are occupied by ERA teachers, three by ERA parents, and one by a community expert.
In this election, we are looking to fill five out of nine board seats. These seats are currently held by Len Twetan, Karilyn Jons, Jim Romportl, Sonja Menard, and Robbie Oeltjenbruns. Two of these open seats must be filled by licensed teachers of ERA in accordance with Minnesota Statute 124D.10 subdivision 4(c) which states that a majority of the Board of Directors shall, after the school completes its third year of operation, consist of teachers providing instruction under contract with the school.
Submitting Nominations
Once you have completed the nomination form and contacted your nominee, please mail, fax, email, or drop off the form in the school office. The deadline for submitting nominations is May 2, 2008.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Black Wednesday
The Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors memo issued today regarding their actions against Mrs. Ingison was carefully crafted to make it look as though they had reasons to terminate her contract.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Dear Eagle Ridge Community:
Last night in open session the board of directors met and discussed the renewal of staff members, including the current director of Eagle Ridge Academy, Judi Ingison. While they appreciate the work she has put in during her tenure at the school as well as her invaluable experience in many areas, and while the independent investigation found that the majority of the allegations against Mrs. Ingison were unsubstantiated, there were at least two allegations that were substantiated. These adverse findings raise significant concerns. The board provided Mrs. Ingison with an opportunity to make a statement to the Board. After extensive deliberation, the Board passed a motion to non-renew Mrs. Ingison's contract for the ‘08-09 school year.
The Board will quickly act to begin the search for a new director.
Eagle Ridge Academy
Board of Directors
The two substantiated allegations noted to her were "communications" and "accepting blame". Mrs. Ingison asked for disclosure of the information that was used to form the basis of their decision and for a discussion of the "evidence" with her. The board refused to even verbally disclose to her support for these claims or to explain their exact concerns in these areas.
Mrs. Ingison continues to profess having done no wrong and is willing for the documents to be shared publicly however the board quickly classsified the documents at last night's meeting preventing a review by her and the public.
As far an anyone knows, including Mrs.Ingison, the communication issue relates to the speed of web site development (Why didn't anyone complain about the website in the past three years when Mrs. Cindy Ripple was in charge of it?), not having a voice mailbox and not being accessible to parents and teachers when she was busy closing out the federal grant in the fall.
Not accepting blame most likely relates to her holding Mrs. Lisa Johnson accountable for her son's actions within the school in regards to the mercury spill (as most likely will the insurance company) and not accepting fault for the accidental deletion of NWEA scores by another employee.
There's obviously more behind the board's decision to than anyone knows, including Mrs. Ingison. The investigation was supposed to be one factor in consideration but at last night's board meeting it was clear that board members were confused about what they were using as a basis for their decision. Why were Mr. John Neve and Mr. Len Twetan forcing a vote and refusing to allow more time for reflection and discussion? Their statements clearly indicated that they were concerned that a new vote or delay in vote might cause board members to come to a new conclusion, and they certainly didn't want that as indicated by their comments. Is this truly a PUBLIC school?
Without doubt the actions of parents during the entire school year leads one to truly question their motives. Cindy Ripple, a former chair/employee/parent, sent out a mass email last fall asking parents to meet at her house to discuss, "the truth about what is really happening at Eagle Ridge Academy". These "secret" meetings continued throughout the year and were only known to us parents " in the loop" even though I didn't buy into what they were doing.
Then the plot is hatched with Reid's resignation followed closely by parents trying to prevent the Minnesota Board of Teaching from issuing licenses to Mr. Niemann and Dr. Rockcastle. The Board of Teaching noted that they had never in their history had parents try to prevent the licensing of an individual. The "secret meeting" parents might have been successful with their plan had school officials and other parents not heard about what they were doing.
Without doubt part of the goal was to take these teachers off the school board because after the state gave them licenses the "secret meeting" parents contacted MDE to have them evaluate whether or not the Community Expert Licenses the two teachers possessed qualified them to occupy the spots on the board, as required by statute, to maintain a teacher majority. MDE concluded that the teaching licenses didn't meet the statutory requirement but that was only after consulting with several different departments. At no time in the history of charter schools in MN have parents challenged the type of licensing a teacher must possess in order to be classified as holding a "teacher spot" on the school board.
On top of all this you have the very suspicious actions of a couple of board members.
If you smell a skunk there's probably one (or a board of them) nearby.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Dear Eagle Ridge Community:
Last night in open session the board of directors met and discussed the renewal of staff members, including the current director of Eagle Ridge Academy, Judi Ingison. While they appreciate the work she has put in during her tenure at the school as well as her invaluable experience in many areas, and while the independent investigation found that the majority of the allegations against Mrs. Ingison were unsubstantiated, there were at least two allegations that were substantiated. These adverse findings raise significant concerns. The board provided Mrs. Ingison with an opportunity to make a statement to the Board. After extensive deliberation, the Board passed a motion to non-renew Mrs. Ingison's contract for the ‘08-09 school year.
The Board will quickly act to begin the search for a new director.
Eagle Ridge Academy
Board of Directors
The two substantiated allegations noted to her were "communications" and "accepting blame". Mrs. Ingison asked for disclosure of the information that was used to form the basis of their decision and for a discussion of the "evidence" with her. The board refused to even verbally disclose to her support for these claims or to explain their exact concerns in these areas.
Mrs. Ingison continues to profess having done no wrong and is willing for the documents to be shared publicly however the board quickly classsified the documents at last night's meeting preventing a review by her and the public.
As far an anyone knows, including Mrs.Ingison, the communication issue relates to the speed of web site development (Why didn't anyone complain about the website in the past three years when Mrs. Cindy Ripple was in charge of it?), not having a voice mailbox and not being accessible to parents and teachers when she was busy closing out the federal grant in the fall.
Not accepting blame most likely relates to her holding Mrs. Lisa Johnson accountable for her son's actions within the school in regards to the mercury spill (as most likely will the insurance company) and not accepting fault for the accidental deletion of NWEA scores by another employee.
There's obviously more behind the board's decision to than anyone knows, including Mrs. Ingison. The investigation was supposed to be one factor in consideration but at last night's board meeting it was clear that board members were confused about what they were using as a basis for their decision. Why were Mr. John Neve and Mr. Len Twetan forcing a vote and refusing to allow more time for reflection and discussion? Their statements clearly indicated that they were concerned that a new vote or delay in vote might cause board members to come to a new conclusion, and they certainly didn't want that as indicated by their comments. Is this truly a PUBLIC school?
Without doubt the actions of parents during the entire school year leads one to truly question their motives. Cindy Ripple, a former chair/employee/parent, sent out a mass email last fall asking parents to meet at her house to discuss, "the truth about what is really happening at Eagle Ridge Academy". These "secret" meetings continued throughout the year and were only known to us parents " in the loop" even though I didn't buy into what they were doing.
Then the plot is hatched with Reid's resignation followed closely by parents trying to prevent the Minnesota Board of Teaching from issuing licenses to Mr. Niemann and Dr. Rockcastle. The Board of Teaching noted that they had never in their history had parents try to prevent the licensing of an individual. The "secret meeting" parents might have been successful with their plan had school officials and other parents not heard about what they were doing.
Without doubt part of the goal was to take these teachers off the school board because after the state gave them licenses the "secret meeting" parents contacted MDE to have them evaluate whether or not the Community Expert Licenses the two teachers possessed qualified them to occupy the spots on the board, as required by statute, to maintain a teacher majority. MDE concluded that the teaching licenses didn't meet the statutory requirement but that was only after consulting with several different departments. At no time in the history of charter schools in MN have parents challenged the type of licensing a teacher must possess in order to be classified as holding a "teacher spot" on the school board.
On top of all this you have the very suspicious actions of a couple of board members.
If you smell a skunk there's probably one (or a board of them) nearby.
Casualties of War II
Today is a sad day in Eagle Ridge Academy history. I'm sure there are plenty who are rejoicing in the brutal sacking and character assassination of Mrs. Ingison, but plenty who love her are left to mourn. Mourn the loss of Eagle Ridge Academy's North Star and worry for the future of the school.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone.
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
~W. H. Auden
It is not easy to live in a fallen world where right does not always triumph over evil. It is not easy to watch the Senators ... er ... Board Members and their co-conspirators plunge their knives into the alleged tyrant with the final blow delivered by our own Brutus, Ms. Langhoff.
And do not think that this second Casualties of War post will be the last. This is not over.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone.
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
~W. H. Auden
It is not easy to live in a fallen world where right does not always triumph over evil. It is not easy to watch the Senators ... er ... Board Members and their co-conspirators plunge their knives into the alleged tyrant with the final blow delivered by our own Brutus, Ms. Langhoff.
And do not think that this second Casualties of War post will be the last. This is not over.
Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop (on a Teacher's Head)
The sacking of Ingison was the culmination of over a full year's effort. There was clearly backroom dealing on the Board, dissident teachers undermining the school and a small but vocal mob of parents out to take over the school. The Board, for its part, is clearly driven by an abject fear of controversy and confrontation. An interesting posture for a leadership position, if one can use the word "posture" in reference to a spineless, bottom-dwelling non-entity. If the Mob will quiet down now, the school will carry on as best it can without its leader.
But why would the Mob quiet down now? They run the school by proxy now, and we will soon see the true contures of their designs. It is doubtful that there was ever a master plan, but we've seen the meglomaniacs taste power now and they are unlikely to let it go. Readers of this journal take note: teachers will be purged and the curriculm changed. Expect the Board to plead poverty over legal fees and lowball a select few teachers. How many other charter schools have a Ph.D teaching humanities in the high school? No matter. He is tainted by his assocaition with Ingison. A Dean who has stuck with the school through all the madness and risen through the ranks? Nice, but she may have actually been friends with the vilified Director. She will have to go.
And what of the curriculum? Anyone familiar with the Great Books knows that it takes careful consideration and experience to read those tomes. Are some books too hard? Inappropriate? Who is to make that decision, the experinced teacher or the Mob? Shall our writing program be adapted to journalling and movie reviews? Apparently rigor and clarity will give way to the students' inner fairy poets. Blue Books are intimidating. Why can't we just draw pictures with pastel crayons for our finals? And why call them finals? That's so...determinative. As if the course were over or something and now students have to prove they are worthy. This will not do.
No, better to purge the Old Believers. The Mob has spoken: they will accept dimness of art and disingenuousness of spirit over quality. It is more important to be in charge than to be right. Wither the teachers, then? Driven from Eagle Ridge Academy, where will they go?
Teachers, it seems, teach. There is a school out there somewhere, or will be, where some or all of these teachers will turn up once they are cast out. Everyone who loves what Eagle Ridge Academy was ought to be on the lookout for it.
But why would the Mob quiet down now? They run the school by proxy now, and we will soon see the true contures of their designs. It is doubtful that there was ever a master plan, but we've seen the meglomaniacs taste power now and they are unlikely to let it go. Readers of this journal take note: teachers will be purged and the curriculm changed. Expect the Board to plead poverty over legal fees and lowball a select few teachers. How many other charter schools have a Ph.D teaching humanities in the high school? No matter. He is tainted by his assocaition with Ingison. A Dean who has stuck with the school through all the madness and risen through the ranks? Nice, but she may have actually been friends with the vilified Director. She will have to go.
And what of the curriculum? Anyone familiar with the Great Books knows that it takes careful consideration and experience to read those tomes. Are some books too hard? Inappropriate? Who is to make that decision, the experinced teacher or the Mob? Shall our writing program be adapted to journalling and movie reviews? Apparently rigor and clarity will give way to the students' inner fairy poets. Blue Books are intimidating. Why can't we just draw pictures with pastel crayons for our finals? And why call them finals? That's so...determinative. As if the course were over or something and now students have to prove they are worthy. This will not do.
No, better to purge the Old Believers. The Mob has spoken: they will accept dimness of art and disingenuousness of spirit over quality. It is more important to be in charge than to be right. Wither the teachers, then? Driven from Eagle Ridge Academy, where will they go?
Teachers, it seems, teach. There is a school out there somewhere, or will be, where some or all of these teachers will turn up once they are cast out. Everyone who loves what Eagle Ridge Academy was ought to be on the lookout for it.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Fight the Good Fight!
Editor's note: I was asked to share this.
April 16, 2008
But he yelled the loudest, to a group that was already down and out. I feel like a victim of this loud, little, insecure man. I am watching before my very eyes, the demise of a school and an administrator that I love. I chose this school. I looked for years for a school like Eagle Ridge Academy. Like I have said a million times – I could not have hand picked you all better myself. I voted for almost all of you on the board. And the board members that are a part of these emails – you should be ashamed of yourself and I really think you should resign. Why should you be able to stay on the Board when you are traders? Mr. Niemann and Dr. Rockcastle are the people that care about my children – not you. I don’t know how you look at yourself in the mirror. The list is very long with the things that Judi has done for my school and done for my children. These home-schooling parents are used to controlling every breath of their children. This is a public school with a wonderful board that needs to be left to business. They need to be left alone to do their jobs. Not listen to the blowholes that love to hear their own voices.
They are full of hatred, ignorance, and need to leave our school. If you don’t like the school – THEN LEAVE! Go and run for office or something – just leave us alone. I hope the Board knows that I have complete trust in you. It is hard to save a person when they have been thrown into a pile of crap – and that is how I feel about what is happening to Judi. I am watching my daughter have a very difficult time in Latin now that they have a real teacher. After reading the emails – did anyone catch the five million misspelled words – yep – this Garvin is some hero – a true genius. Thank Goodness the
Board did what they had to do. Good call – this is what I mean – if the Board is left to do their job, the Board will do the right thing. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for working your fingers to the bones – never giving up the fight and doing what is right no matter how hard that might be. I would never be able to find a school where the Dean of Students spends two hours a day helping my daughter study. Judi – if you where my manager in my workplace – I would follow you wherever you went. You could always count on me to give you 110% just like you give that to my children and me. I pray for this staff every night before I go to bed. I pray that you all, as a Board, and as the staff at ERA, have the courage and strength to ward of the evil that lurks around every corner.
You are doing the right thing by placing the children first. If only these parents would do the same. These parents might be louder – but I am wiser. These parents are spewing lies out of their mouths. I know the truth. I know who the master of evil is and so does she. Why these people have chosen Judi and Eagle Ridge Academy, I don’t know. Why they are trying to convince the globe that she is evil and must be eliminated? I think of myself as a person of reason. I weigh both sides – and their side is coming up smelling like crap – looking like crap – must be crap. Before this becomes ten pages, I just want to let you all know that I have a heavy heart. I am sad that the truth is not prevailing. It is hard to tell my daughters that evil wins sometimes – that lies turn into truths . I hope the Board makes the correct decisions for the children and for Eagle Ridge Academy.
Please don’t be a pawn like these parents are. Please be the strong, intelligent, faithful people I voted for and that I respect with every fiber of my being. Judi is a very important part of Eagle Ridge Academy. She bleeds Eagle Ridge Academy. I will follow my own advice and we will leave if things do not calm down. That is not a threat
Respectfully Submitted,
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
It's Not Too Late to Do Something
Editor's note: I received this email this weekend.
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Marie P
To: mariefam12@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:57:56 PM
Subject: PLEASE READ - IMPORTANT
Hi,
I am at a loss for words right now! I spoke with Mrs. Erb. She's trying to save her job for next year. She gave me the emails (at least some) that the board has been reviewing as "evidence" in her defense. I am sending them along for your review. According to her Ms. Ried and Mr. Garvin were mostly to blame for everything. She doesn't even believe they did anything wrong since Mrs. Jons and Mr. Neve were part it and new about everything. (Can board members do this? Mrs. Jons even tried to get either Mrs. Erb or Mr. Garvin on the board but she wasn't successful in getting Mrs. Johnson off.)
From what I have heard Mrs. Ingison doesn't stand a chance. The board is afraid of that group people who have been speaking up at board meetings. This is the same group that tried to stop the state from giving Mr. Niemann and Dr. Rockcastle teaching licenses and successfully got them kicked off the board. With Mrs. Ripple and Mrs. Jons in the group we shouldn't be surprised about how much damage they've done. You could tell at board meetings Mrs. Jons was pushing this group's agenda.
I enrolled my kids in this school because it emphasized ethics. Where'd that go?
Let's "clean up" this school for the kids and teachers. Can you speak up at the board meeting this Tuesday? They probably won't even give parents a chance to speak so we better email Ms. Langhoff NOW. From what I hear that group has been flooding the board with their emails for the past couple of months and they haven't heard anything from NORMAL parents like us.
We need to emphasize the positive things that have happened in the school: (forget those negative parents - we're better than them)
Email Ms. Langhoff and demand a recall on Mr. Neve and Mrs. Jons! They shouldn't be voting on anything.
READ THE EMAILS - but make sure you're sitting down.
See you soon.
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Marie P
To: mariefam12@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:57:56 PM
Subject: PLEASE READ - IMPORTANT
Hi,
I am at a loss for words right now! I spoke with Mrs. Erb. She's trying to save her job for next year. She gave me the emails (at least some) that the board has been reviewing as "evidence" in her defense. I am sending them along for your review. According to her Ms. Ried and Mr. Garvin were mostly to blame for everything. She doesn't even believe they did anything wrong since Mrs. Jons and Mr. Neve were part it and new about everything. (Can board members do this? Mrs. Jons even tried to get either Mrs. Erb or Mr. Garvin on the board but she wasn't successful in getting Mrs. Johnson off.)
From what I have heard Mrs. Ingison doesn't stand a chance. The board is afraid of that group people who have been speaking up at board meetings. This is the same group that tried to stop the state from giving Mr. Niemann and Dr. Rockcastle teaching licenses and successfully got them kicked off the board. With Mrs. Ripple and Mrs. Jons in the group we shouldn't be surprised about how much damage they've done. You could tell at board meetings Mrs. Jons was pushing this group's agenda.
I enrolled my kids in this school because it emphasized ethics. Where'd that go?
Let's "clean up" this school for the kids and teachers. Can you speak up at the board meeting this Tuesday? They probably won't even give parents a chance to speak so we better email Ms. Langhoff NOW. From what I hear that group has been flooding the board with their emails for the past couple of months and they haven't heard anything from NORMAL parents like us.
We need to emphasize the positive things that have happened in the school: (forget those negative parents - we're better than them)
- failing school turned around
- good culture - not like other public schools
- newly renovated building
- good classical curriculum
- enrollment expanding and now a waiting list
- ranks as one of the best in the metro area according to test scores
- good teachers
Email Ms. Langhoff and demand a recall on Mr. Neve and Mrs. Jons! They shouldn't be voting on anything.
READ THE EMAILS - but make sure you're sitting down.
See you soon.
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