SCCPSS Savannah-Chatham County Public School System 208 Bull Street / Savannah, Georgia 31401 7 912.395.3600 April 28, 2017 AdvancED Annette Bohling, J.D., Chief Operations Officer 7665 South Research Drive Tempe, AZ 85284 Dear Ms. Bohling: The District is in receipt of your letter dated March 30, 2017, regarding complaints and allegations surrounding the effective governance of our elected Board As the Superintendent of Savannah-Chatham Public Schools, | have had the honor to serve this community for the past twelve years. In that time, the Board and this District have made great gains. These gains have been realized through collaborative work built on strong relationships, professional respect, and a clear understanding of the functional areas of responsibility for which we are all governed. | am proud of the many accomplishments and milestones we have met over the last decade This district has moved forward in a positive direction that has instilled a renewed interest and belief in public education. As | look to my retirement, it is my hope that the progress we have gained will not be undermined by the current climate of leadership we have experienced over the last two years. | have been fortunate to work with a diverse school board, and for the vast majority of my tenure, have enjoyed a working relationship with a unified Board that demonstrates a shared vision of delivering quality educational offerings through effective governance. It is my belief that the current Board of the eight elected district representatives have a strong understanding of their roles and are able to function effectively. | acknowledge that we have been presented with a number of challenges that have resulted as a consequence of the actions of the School Board President. The challenges have created distractions and eroded public confidence in the working relationship between administration and the Board's ability to make sound decisions for the betterment of all students served. In my time with the District, the last two years have raised issues that are arguably a result of a clear lack of leadership and experience. | am hopeful that with time, certain behaviors exhibited by the Board President will be corrected in a manner that provides a valued learning opportunity and professional growth. The following information represents areas of concern that are specific to the indicators you have outlined: Indicator 2.2 ~ The governing body operates responsibly and functions effectively. Lack of leadership and inability to efficiently manage School Board Meetings. The Board President is regularly late to be seated and does not convene meetings on time. This has caused angst among the Board ‘Mission - To ignite a passion for learning and teaching at high levels Vision - From school to the world: ALL students prepared for productive futures "AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMFLOTER:Recently, during a Special Called meeting the Vice President of the Board took it upon herself to convene the meeting in an effort to start on time. The Board of eight were all seated while the Board President continued a conversation in the adjoining room. Lack of ability or desire to build relationships with fellow School Board members. Often Board meetings result in heavy debate and objections with the Board President's position on matters. On one occasion, the debate became so heated the Board President ordered the District 6 Board member's microphone to be “cut” in order to silence his commentary. This resulted in negative news coverage and newspaper editorials that questioned the Board's unity. Exhibits behavior that operates in a silo. Very selective in participating in District events where fellow Board members and staff are present. The Board President often agrees to participate only to eventually cancel. Does not share positions with fellow Board members between meetings — prefers to post commentary on social media. Shows propensity to make unilateral decisions. Tried to reform the way staff presentations are provided by pushing for video presentations that would require fellow Board members to watch the videos prior to meetings. This requested change was offered without gaining consensus from fellow Board members. Even when the topic was raised at a meeting and fellow Board members voiced concern on cost, time burden on staff, and transparency for public access, the Board President insisted staff proceed with this action. Failure to plan/execute School Board Retreats, Board Retreats have provided great interaction between Board members, the Superintendent and staff, and support our work to strategically plan. The planned fall 2016 Board retreat was cancelled and never rescheduled. Discussions to schedule an April 2017 Retreat and Board Governance training have never come to fruition and have recently been cancelled, The Board President has previously been sanctioned by the other eight district representatives. Their displeasure was stated in a letter that detailed concerms with her actions. This letter came just eight months into her service as School Board President. Concerns over infighting, leadership, and relationship building were all addressed including displeasure with sharing Board affairs over social media. Failure to communicate. As Superintendent, | have an open door to my Board. Over the two years of this Board Presidency, rarely have I received a call from the Board chair to discuss issues or meet between meetings regarding matters she may wish to bring to my attention. Having the ability to raise concems in a professional matter is critical. It is my belief that her professional and ethical actions have served to create dissension among the Board to which have created unnecessary barriers for the work of the district.Indicator 2.3 - The governing body ensures that the school leadership has the autonomy to meet goals for achievement and instruction and to manage day-to-day operations effectively. Overstepping governance role in major contract award for transportation provider (MV Reliant) by meeting and talking with vendor representatives Early in her elected term the Board President was far too engaged with the vendor and its lobbyist after the Board took action to award the multi-million dollar contract. During this transition, communications ‘occurred without the knowledge or involvement of the Superintendent. Initiated policy change regarding the District's established homework policy without first consulting the Superintendent or gaining feedback from fellow Board members. Requested to see the personnel "Leader Keys” evaluations for all middle school principals. Shares inaccurate information on Facebook. Recently told parents there is no fourth grade Georgia Milestones Assessment. Undermines the work of the Superintendent by telling parents on Facebook to “Opt Out" of testing. Used Facebook account to comment on an alleged teacher incident that was reported on social media. This commentary caused additional scorn for the teacher and undue negative public perception. Public commentary on personnel matters is not a practice this Superintendent supports. Requested the district's spending amounts with the designated legal organ in this county, the Savannah Morning News, and suggested how money should be spent with other publications. The Board President has engaged in an adversarial relationship with the Savannah Morning News Education Reporter and Editorial Board since being elected Publicly discredited the Superintendent's recommendation for contract award for Construction Program Management Services. The Board President conducted a television interview stating her position and suggested the Superintendent was not forthright in providing information that supported the recommendation after the Board had approved the recommendation by a majority vote. On the same contract recommendation, when it was learned a staff member had made a clerical error on one of the tabulation sheets, to which it was explained had no bearing on the final ranking order, the Board President requested administration reveal the identity of the panel member who made the mistake. Instances of Continued Conflict with the Superintendent and Repeated Requests for information. Conflict has surrounded major contract awards for Transportation, Solid Waste Removal Systems, and Construction Program Management. Examples of continued questioning and extensive requests for information have circulated around Middle School Performance data, Charter School Transportation, Testing, and Child Abuse.In my opinion as Superintendent serving for more than a decade in this county, the behavior of the Board President cannot be minimized. Itis of great concern, knowing that the behaviors cited in this letter have not improved. What is especially concerning is the recent behavior | have witnessed comes after clear efforts have been made to address areas of deficiency. The school district is moving in the right direction and there are many dedicated employees who devote tireless efforts to ensure our students receive the very best. With good leadership from a Board that is unified and committed to a vision of effective governance, | am confident the gains we have experienced will continue and the District will rise to new levels. « Woane 4. Leatire 7 Thomas B, Lockamy, Jr., Ed.D. ‘Superintendent of Schools