Dear WCCUSD Board members,

I'm sending you this via the wccusdtalk list, as I'd be interested in getting your and other people's comments.

I found the letter the five Downer teachers put out to the Downer staff on October 5 to be well thought out, constructive, and provocative.  I do
recommend that you read the entire letter, if you haven't already. 

I can think of 3 different approaches the district could have taken in response:

1.  Ignore it.

2.  Treat it as a personnel issue:  Consider to what extent the content of the letter constitutes a contractual violation and what the disciplinary
consequences should be.

3.  Treat it as a pedagogical issue:  When five highly-regarded, experienced and dedicated teachers make a statement such as this, take it as an
opportunity to sit down with them and discuss the matter in depth, in order to better understand their input on our common objective to improve student
learning.

Thankfully, #1 did not happen.

It appears that #2 was selected.  The result has been demonstrations at the school board meeting, threats of sit-ins and brown-outs, defensiveness on
the part of teachers and administrators, and oppressive silences ("we can't discuss this, it's a personnel matter").

My question is, wouldn't #3 assure a more positive outcome for everybody? It could lead to dialogues in which everybody's input is respected.
Creating such a space could allow for give-and-take on all sides, flexibility, and new ideas that may not yet have been expressed.  Those who
appear to be challenging the status quo would be able to take responsibility for their action by giving underlying reasons, offering positive
alternatives, listening to other viewpoints and being open to more than one solution.  Administrators could demonstrate their renewed commitment to
collaborative management.  Broader buy-in and mutual support could result.
I don't see a down side.

What are your thoughts?

Marilyn