Let's Hear the Defense

[Alums and Parents]

We would be very curious to hear exactly what those who support Mr. Watson, Mr. Gordon, the Board, and the status quo at Academy are supporting.

The facts are there for all to see. All things being equal, the school’s endowment, once nearly $300 million, will be gone in twenty years. If you don’t believe that this is a mathematical certainty, then please share the source of your optimism with the rest of us. (Someone might give the school ten million, but under current fiscal policies, that too would eventually disappear).

There seems to be no ambiguity that this loss of nearly 70% of the school’s endowment took place while Mr. Watson and Mr. Gordon were collectively paid salaries in the range of $600,000 to $750,000 (plus bonuses and perks) to oversee the school’s solvency. To state this fact is not a personal attack. It’s a matter of public record. (The 990’s are easy to read).

So, please, someone, describe what it is about the current Headmaster (and the Board) that suggests they have been responsible stewards of the Academy’s monetary foundation, its mission, and its good name.

And if you can’t do so, then what is it you are defending?

[rochambeau]

I am just now reading thru the website, and must have overlooked your post, Alums and Parents. You ask a great question.
I just now realized that nowhere in ANY of the posts do you find enthusiastic support of Mr. Watson.
That silence speaks louder than anything else.

Trustees, are you listening?

[Magic]

Wow!

I just read the letter on the in which it is said, “We believe the appropriate place to address the types of concerns raised is first through face-to-face discussions.”

I have been there. Done that. Got nothing.

I know for a fact that Mr. Watson WALKED OUT on a meeting with the heads of the Multi-cultural Parent Committee who were trying to have concerns addressed, because (he claimed) to have double-booked with a graduating senior.

Wow!

Just wow!

There is a reason Mr. Hibbett WITH SUPPORT FROM OTHER PARENTS created, designed, and published this website as a forum.

Additionally, if folks have not been paying attention, there are TEACHERS posting here because they are AFRAID of being disciplined or worse if they speak out or try to engage Admin in constructive discourse.

Holy hell! What else do people need to know?

[Chimayo]

Right on, Magic.

And all I can say is, it didn’t have to be this way. Think of all the suffering, humiliation, anger of so many dedicated people in our community with an utterly tone-deaf Board and Head.

And now the chickens are coming home to roost…

I take NO satisfaction in this. It is painful for everyone. But it ALL could have been avoided, had the board done it’s job.

But the darkest hour precedes dawn. And I have utter confidence that the community will rally if the Board addresses all the concerns in Peter’s letter.

And if they do, I look forward to tripling my intended gift to the Charged with Promise campaign!

[BeenThere]

Having followed all of these posts for a few days, I would encourage those of you who are most directly concerned with the long term outcomes to focus on the bigger picture. I do not think it will be productive to begin arguing over teacher pay, pay gaps, and leadership compensation. Do not get me wrong, I believe these things are important. However, the larger issues are structural and cultural; the larger issues are about governance. Focus on that. Especially now that this is getting wider play in the press (KOB), keep the bigger issues at the forefront. To an institution with the history and influence of the Academy, it would be counter-productive to begin arguing about tens of thousands of dollars. This is about tens of millions. Keep focusing on decision-making at the highest levels and do not make it about any one person and about what he or she makes. Comparisons to public school teacher’s salaries are irrelevant.

[ClassOf19]

All that needs to be said: #TimeToMoveOnAndy

[Befuddled]

I knew nothing of this debate (or this forum) until reading the board’s responsee to Mr. Hibbetts letter in the today newsletter. It predictably motivated me to find Mr. Hibbett’s letter (who didn’t have that reaction?). What I expected to find was a thinly veiled political rant filled with inflammatory innuendo, groundless accusations, and unsubstantiated alternative facts on who-knows-what specific topic. What I found instead was one fairly well considered side of a debate which raised some distinct and well expressed concerns about the board’s feduciary responsibilities with respect to the school’s dwindling endowment. After then reading some of the anonymous discourse in response to it, a pattern seemed to emerge. The most striking point of all of this to me was the complete lack of effort made by the board to try address the seemingly fair questions raised by the letter. Their note seemed simply to bash the intent, method, and source of the communique as well as the idea of public discourse in general. I expect if they could, they would fire Mr. Hibbett immediately for insubordination. They appear to feel that they should not have to address any of the stated concerns, and even if they did it should only be in private or in a forum and manner which they fully control. They appear to either have no answer or not enough respect for the audience to let their answer be judged fairly on its merits. They instead appear to be using their waning credibility advantage to squash the question. I am a more than a bit surprised to see such tactics used here. It appears that most of the reactions are not dissimilar to mine. Is tonight’s damage control strategy an indication as to the board’s competence? I certainly hope not.

[Magic]

Would you mind condensing your thoughts?

[Author]

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