Letters to the Editor 4-21-16

CHS staff and faculty concerns
Editor: Recently, Cloverdale High School was nationally recognized by the Gaston Caperton Opportunity Honor Roll, for closing the achievement gap and helping more under-represented students attend college. While our staff worked diligently to meet the needs of the Common Core State Standards and to provide a rigorous curriculum for all students, we know, and research shows, that this award would not have been possible without the positive and nurturing school culture fostered by its staff and in particular, our Teacher Student Support personnel, Mark Lucchetti. Our cohesion and sense of community allow us to support students and prevent them from falling through the cracks. The WASC Visitation team also applauded us for our positive school culture when they came to CHS last month.
Students cannot be academically successful without a strong social support system. Faculty who attended conferences surrounding the issue of equity and justice this year have been told, continually, that learning only happens when students have forged meaningful relationships with their educational community. In short, our school’s sense of community and our students’ belief that teachers care about them is a prerequisite to learning. We are writing this letter because we are gravely concerned that the school culture that has engendered our academic success is being seriously weakened by the shortsighted decisions made by Superintendent Jeremy Decker and Principal Kirsten Sanft. Moreover, we believe that the CUSD administration is completely out of touch with the priorities of CHS and does not support our students’ or staff’s best interests as indicated by the failure to hire Mark Lucchetti as Vice Principal.
In passing over Mark, who has indefatigably served as Vice-Principal in all but name for five years, administration has deceived Mark, the staff and students. Mark, as well as the entire staff, was under the assumption that if he were to pursue his administrative credential, he would be hired as Vice-Principal, both because he is the most qualified person for the job, and because he is essential to maintaining our positive school culture.
Teachers are extremely unhappy and reeling with shock at Superintendent Decker and Principal Sanft’s decision. We want the community to be aware that the administration chose to ignore the wishes of our entire staff and student body. In addition, Superintendent Decker’s public assertion that it’s a “promotion” is, frankly, complete obfuscation. Let us be honest. This is a reassignment – an involuntary reassignment that will hurt our students. When it was made known that he would no longer be at CHS, students were visibly upset. Sixteen-year-old boys were crying in classrooms. Protest flyers materialized out of thin air. The quick organization and 95 percent student buy-in at the walk-out is testament to their anxiety and anger.
While Washington School may have a need for improvement in school culture and Mark’s presence would benefit that school, there are and will be repercussions to the high school’s culture. Washington’s gain will be made at the high school’s peril. Superintendent Decker is not resolving issues – he is merely transferring them to another location.
We are also confounded that the basis on which the decision was made hinges upon his lack of curriculum experience. Only weeks ago, WASC distinctly praised our school’s curriculum and innovative projects. Moreover, the recently hired Kris Menlove, our district Curriculum and Technology Director, could address any and all curriculum gaps.
With one personnel decision, Principal Sanft and Superintendent Decker have jeopardized our school culture and our student’s academic futures. They have also jeopardized the safety and emotional well-being of our students, many of whom see Mark Lucchetti as one of the most significant adults in their lives. Their lack of understanding as to why the students and teachers are so upset with their decision not to hire Mark underscores how disconnected they are with the needs and priorities of our CHS community.
It also highlights how blind the administration has been to what Mark Lucchetti does on a daily basis. It is highly unlikely that the new Vice-Principal and Principal Sanft will have time for “curriculum development,” as they will have their hands full with the discipline issues alone that Mark dealt with this year. In addition to diffusing discipline issues, Mark has taken on countless other responsibilities that are important to our student body and to the culture we are trying to preserve here at CHS. Will the incoming Vice-Principal also be directly involved with athletics? Will she be the ASB Advisor? Will she help plan rallies and greet the school each morning? Will she plan and oversee Community Unity Day?
These factors leave us with an alarming sense of mistrust and dwindling confidence in the administration’s decision-making processes. More importantly, they have put our student’s educational future at risk. Superintendent Decker and Principal Sanft may have filled a position, but they will not be able to fill the void that is left when Mr. Lucchetti leaves this school.
We need effective leadership. We need transparent leadership. We need leaders who recognize, hear and value their teachers.
Signed by 18  
CHS Staff and Faculty
Volunteer at Healdsburg Hospital
Editor: Become a hospital volunteer. It is a worthwhile and fun way to give back. The patients and staff of Healdsburg District Hospital appreciate all that we do with just a few simple tasks. For example, refreshing water pitchers, passing out menus and helping patients fill them out, running errands for the staff nurses and cafeteria personnel. We also man the gift shop located in the lobby and hold two bake sales annually with the proceeds going towards scholarships for hospital employees and their medical careers.
Both men and women are needed. If you can give just a couple of four-hour shifts each month, you will be surprised how satisfying it is helping hospitalized neighbors as well as the hospital.
If you are interested, please call 431-6500 and ask for the gift shop. You can leave a message with your name and number. You won’t be sorry. Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.
Debbie Williams
Healdsburg District Hospital volunteer
Kiwanis Mother’s Day Breakfast set
Editor: The Kiwanis Club of Cloverdale will be holding the 15th annual Mother’s Day Breakfast on, of course, Mother’s Day, May 8. Treat your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friends, along with the rest of your family, to a wonderful breakfast. Each mother will receive a complimentary corsage.
The breakfast will include ham, scrambled eggs, coffee, juice, milk and fresh strawberries along with buttermilk pancakes. As you come through the serving line you will be greeted by smiling Kiwanis members ready to serve you a good breakfast along with a cheerful good morning.
Breakfast will be served in the Cloverdale High School gym from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The price is $9 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under. Tickets are available from Kiwanis members, at Mail Center, Etc. or at the door.
All proceeds from this fundraising event will go into the Cloverdale Kiwanis Scholarship Account. There will be a donation drawing for some great items, so be sure to check out the items and maybe you will take home a beautiful gift for mom.
Family photos will be taken for free by Theresa Gravely of Baby Love Boutique Studio from 8:30 to 10 a.m., so come all dressed up and have a beautiful photo taken as a remembrance of this special day.
Laurie Kneeland
Cloverdale
Community Garden fundraiser
Editor: Community Garden Oasis is having a fundraising savory breakfast including plenty of delicious goodies from Trading Post Bakery on Saturday, April 30, 8 to 10 a.m. at the Community Garden Oasis grounds. Cost is $20 per person and proceeds will be used to replace the solar energy componenets that were stolen last month. For more information call Ron at 415-570-3037 or Mardi at 894-2736.
Mardi Grainger
Cloverdale
What is the vision for CUSD?
Editor: As a former educator at Cloverdale High School and proponent of our local schools, I generally try not to involve myself in the hiring and firing positions of the Cloverdale Unified School District. Instead, I target my efforts toward constructive support of the district, efforts that make things better for the youth of our community. However, recent decisions by the CUSD school board and the recently hired superintendent have led me to realize that it is time to publicly speak of how administrative changes are not being made in the best interests of the students in our schools.
Recently, the Washington Middle School principal and Cloverdale High School Teacher Student Support person were removed from their positions by the district administration. These were two of the few administrators who have roots in our district and want to remain here. Each wish to grow our schools rather than tumble onward when the winds change, like so many other administrators we have seen pass through CUSD. These two administrators were some of the best that I have seen in the nearly 20 years I have lived in Cloverdale. Their removal from their respective schools undermines the successes they have achieved for our district. Both these people had a vision for what they want Cloverdale schools to achieve and a commitment and track record that spans years in Cloverdale. Those successes and commitment to the students at their schools have been cast away.
The district is currently waging a publicity war to try and cover up the fact that a middle school principal, who would not have left when the wind changed, was asked to leave the school district. And the best member of the administration at the high school had his position eliminated so the district could remove him from the high school. These decisions show a complete lack of understanding about what works in our schools. We see administrators that aren’t connected to our community come with promise and disappear practically as fast as the seasonal change of the grape leaves in the fields around us.
Rather than spend their energy spin doctoring these stories, I call on the CUSD Board of Trustees and the Superintendent of CUSD to present this community with their vision for district leadership and answer the following questions: What is your comprehensive vision for CUSD leadership, and what measurable metrics will you put in place to evaluate your success in achieving that vision? How does removing the middle school principal and high school student support person (vice principal) from their positions further your vision? How will removing these leaders from their positions not undermine the programs, vision and long term commitment they had at their respective schools? Why would you remove an administrator (Mr. Lucchetti) from a leadership role in which he has helped the school to receive awards for closing the learning gap for students and earn an outstanding WASC accreditation review? Why are you dismantling a program that works at the high school?
Rather than tear down our district, why don’t you focus on supporting the strong points and making the district better? How does eliminating administrators with a long term commitment to the success of our community’s education system support your leadership goals for CUSD?
I ask our community to get involved with our schools and question the leadership that is dismantling successful programs. Ask your CUSD trustees and district superintendent to support the school administrators that have been successful in our district and have demonstrated a long term commitment to the success of Cloverdale students.
Preston Addison
Cloverdale