Mr. Fred Lawrence
Mr. Kris Millett
Mr. Michael Skeele
Mr. Delbert Newton
Mr. Michael Cizenski

Dear Sirs:

Each new school year brings a fresh start, a beginning, new expectations and focus on student success.  This year, because of events that ocurred during the summer, our faculty is beginning the year with heavy hearts, full of uncertainty, with little confidence that we, as professionals or as individuals will be supported by our Administrators and/or the Board of Education.  We refer specifically to the implications of public meetings where professionals have been discussed, the total lack of communication, inappropriate teacher placement and the fear of repercussions in the future.

When a teacher's reputation and professional expertise are allowed to be discussed and denigrated in open, public meetings with Board members present, the individual's professionalism and ability to function in his/her job are severely compromised.  This should never be allowed to occur.

Community committees formed for the purpose of writing curriculum, by people not trained in the syllabus and New York State Standards nor in the requirements of curriculum writing empower people who are not experts in the academic field.  Curriculum needs to be written by skilled professionals familiar with State Standards.  The District does have a curriculum writing policy and procedures which the District Planning Team oversees.

Curriculum approved by the Board of Education is being disregarded and the teacher who delivers the instruction is not being supported.  That curriculum may include some things which make people uncomfortable but that should not prevent students the opportunity to learn the facts.

A minority faction in the community has taken on more power than they deserve.  We challenge the District to take steps to ensure this does not continue.  It is nonprofessional and offensive and it opens the door to potential repercussions.

Neither the Superintendent of Schools, the Secondary Principal, nor the Board of Education has invited the teachers involved to participate in a non-threatening, informative meeting to discuss the facts, to assess the truth and the merit of allegations made either in person or in anonymous letters.  We do not feel supported when life-changing decisions are made at the 11th hour and during summer vacation therefore not allowing the teachers affected or the DeRuyter Faculty Association the opportunity to respond in a timely manner.  The fact that the community had an opportunity to state their opinions but the faculty did not does not promote confidence in our administration.

Mr. Lawrence stated on opening day that the Board of Education supports the faculty and staff at DCS.  However, by not "drawing a line in the sand" in terms of what community members may say and do in public meetings or making questionable teacher placement decisions, the faculty does not see the support.  Discussions related to personnel issues should not be made in public, open meetings.  Board members present should be well aware of that.

Teachers wonder who will be next?  Whose curriculum will be rewritten by a community group of non-professionals?  Who will be required to write detailed lesson plans, including tests, to be provided to parents whose child may not even be enrolled in the class?  Whose movies, readings or pictures will be offensive to an unnamed potential censor?  Will there be community repercussions if a child is not cast in the school musical?  Is not inducted into the National Honor Society?  Doesn't play enough on a team?  Doesn't win the MVP at the end of a season?  Isn't elected to Student Council?  Is not selected to the Teen Institute or Eckerd Drug Show Team?

Where does it end?  We believe the Board of Education needs to indeed "Support" the faculty and be the educational leaders of this District.

Sincerely,