The Academy's future…

[Worried]

Dear Trustees,

I am a grateful former parent of two Academy children who owe a lot to the Academy for their success as young adults.

As someone who’s worked in mediation for the past 15 years, I’d like to offer a few observations about where I think we are.

First, it’s clear from the website that the Academy “community” is no longer a community. It is an angry, divided set of stakeholders. Some support Andy and the board, in spite of Mr. Hibbet’s meticulously documented letter. Others support Mr. Hibbett, and want the board to act on his letter.

We can’t know how many are in each camp. But based on the intensity of the emotion and the consistency of the themes at the various forums, we can know that something is very broken at Albuquerque Academy.

So, how about the Academy’s future? The board always has the power to ignore Mr. Hibbett and his group’s letter, as well as the many voices that support them. Let’s call this the “trustees win” scenario.

The “trustees win” scenario yields one very obvious benefit: satisfaction for the board and Mr. Watson.

But what is the price of the “trustees win” scenario to Albuquerque Academy? Here are some thoughts:

1. Damage to the Academy’s reputation locally. In spite of the Academy’s extraordinary generosity, many in our community still call it “the rich kids’ school.” Do we want to allow our detractors to call the Academy “the rich kids’ school with an overpaid head and an arrogant, incompetent board”?

2. Damage to the Academy’s reputation nationally. The viral nature of online media guarantees that by now the website has been seen by many NAIS heads of school and boards. What are they thinking? And what is the board of NAIS thinking?

3. Difficulty in recruiting the best faculty. The faculty are the heart of any school, and independent schools offer a superb education because of a superb faculty. As the Academy’s older faculty begin to retire, it must find the very best candidates in the nation to replace them. But the best candidates nationally will always have several good offers. How can we expect a strong candidate to accept an Academy offer when the Academy is beset with so many serious problems?

4. Declining confidence among currently enrolled families. If my child were enrolled in the 6th grade, I would be very worried. A school as troubled as the Academy cannot possibly deliver its best for its students. How could I be sure that my wife and I would get the quality education we are paying for and expect, particularly as we look at college applications in 5 years?

5. Reduced competitiveness in the local educational market. Great schools depend on great children and their families to remain great. And we all know that the market for those great families in Albuquerque is extremely tight. Our competitors are hungry, and they would love to take the Academy down a notch or two. You can be sure they will use the Academy’s current difficulties to their advantage.

6. Reduced donor enthusiasm for the “Charged with Promise” campaign. There will of course be donors who increase their donations out of loyalty to Mr. Watson and the trustees. But I think that there will be many more who refuse to donate outright, or withhold their donation until they see change. Do we really want to jeopardize the success of the Academy’s first big fund-raising campaign?

7. A health risk for Mr. Watson. When CEOs get in trouble, they often want to “soldier on” or “battle it out.” That is in their nature, and Mr. Watson’s defiance is quite normal. But in every case I’ve seen, it’s takes a terrible toll on a CEO’s health. If the board allows him to “battle it out,” just imagine the emotional stress on Mr. Watson every time he encounters his employees, or addresses parents, or attends an NAIS conference? How could he possibly go through his busy day with a deep sense of confidence, purpose, and direction? How could he lead effectively?

I defer to the board. But if I were asked my professional opinion, I would say that “trustees win” scenario is not an “Academy wins” scenario.

It would be much better for the Academy, I believe, to make a clean break. First, honor the many hours of work that Mr. Hibbett’s group put into their letter by taking it seriously.

Then allow Mr. Watson to finish the current academic year while you find an experienced interim head of school with NAIS’s help for the 2018/19 academic year. Then start a search for a new head in the fall.

Sincerely,

A worried former parent

[Forum123]

Excellent post Worried. Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough and accurate assessment of the situation. There have been indicators all along that morale is suffering and they have been ignored. Faculty and staff participation in the Annual Fund hovers around 50%, abysmal by NAIS standards and a clear indicator that something is wrong. if anyone has the exact figure, please post. Faculty and staff attendance at events is poor and no one seems to stop and ask why. I don’t see how this community can move forward in a positive direction with the current leadership. It’s time for Mr. Watson to move on and for Mr. HOnneger as well. It’s alo time for the Board to stop defending Mr. WAtson and to act in the best interest of the school.

[More worried…]

Great post, Worried.

But you left out another serious problem. I recall that the Academy must do its ISAS Self-Study next year, as part of its ISAS accreditation process. (Can anyone confirm this?)

If so, I can’t see how the Academy can possibly complete its “Documentation of Adherence to Standards” and achieve a passing grade.

Failure to win accreditation would be a monumental embarrassment for the Academy.

Trustees, please don’t let that happen.

[Forum123]

More worried, you are correct. The accreditation process is scheduled for next year and, like you, I don’t know how AA could pass it.

[libra68]

Just now accessing this website for the first time – good letter, Mr. Hibbett, and nice design.

I have served on several nonprofit boards, and while I am no expert, one lesson stands out.
When nonprofits get in trouble, they have to increase communication, not shut it down.

I remember a wise former chair of the trustees at Rye Country Day School in New York, who once told me, “You know how in choosing real estate, the three cardinal rules are ‘location, location, location’? Well, the three cardinal rules for nonprofit boards are ‘transparency, transparency, and transparency.'”

I think this is good advice to guide our community forward.

[Serpico]

libra68, that’s been my experience too.

I think we need to start a community dialogue about the issues in Mr. Hibbett’s letter. A written response from the trustees, followed by a town hall would with open Q&A would be great.

Any other thoughts?

[ClassOf19]

Hopefully, things will not progress this far, but if Mr. Watson and the Board continue to stonewall:

http://info.legalzoom.com/right-sue-board-director-21758.html

It might be the only option to dislodge the stranglehold on the school.

[ClassOf19]

Non-Shareholder Plaintiffs
Although most lawsuits against individual directors are filed by shareholders, non-shareholders may sue individual corporate directors if they have been personally harmed by the actions of the defendant. Harm to the corporation or to its shareholders is not grounds for filing a lawsuit by a third party. Directors can face civil liability for a variety of wrongful acts such as breach of employment contracts, defamation, sexual harassment and fraud.

[ClassOf19]

As parents and teachers have been financially harmed via greatly increased tuition and loss of pay based on negligence of the board, it seems to fit into this legal category.

I think that all is needed is honesty and transparency from the board, but this may be the only mechanism to get there.

[Perspective]

As members of this community, we can choose to share an array of perspectives and information that has been known about, through time, and that are currently circling the educational community of Albuquerque Academy, and face these issues with candor, focus, and integrity.

Implicit in that choice is the opportunity to listen to what is emerging on many fronts, and at many levels of this community, and be willing to hear from the voices of those who believe the school’s mission is central to what every student, family, teacher, staff person, or community member is here for.

Much is at stake, and it can be said that the overarching community is responsible to take up these issues with the utmost care, because it does matter in the here and now, and for the future. To respond with anything less is to imperil the very concerns that have gone into the realization of this school, and its mission – enabling the ability to form critical relationships within our community, provide for our students and their futures, and which is the bond with educators who realize a livelihood that is the very vitality of an independent, educational institution in a democracy. Yes, this school and its endowment has been entrusted since its founding. Perhaps, we have forgotten about our role in this enterprise?

Many folks (families, alums, teachers, students, community, business and educational partners), have long been aware ‘in real time’ about activities that pointed to mismanagement of the endowment for over the last twenty years: people have whispered about it, worried about it, observed questionable decisions, and ‘looked over’ battled, fatal outcomes of bothered consciences -how tragic (literally!), the truth is! Choices made by trustees (some alums, former classmates, and major contributors), away from inquiring minds, and the stakeholders that are referred families and students, and the employees that make this place, “The Academy!”

We haven’t been willing to deal with what has been happening. Only now are we looking closely at what constitutes this mismanagement, because ill-advised speculative real estate dealings go asunder, disproportionate salaries cannot be a substitute for the real “Restore and Repair” requirements to sustain a balanced fiduciary operation, and encourage educational development and excellence, at the same time. Possible pocket-lining? Questionable performance masked by platitudes that suggest that there is no need to inquire over concerns about financial aid and rigorous critical and creative thinking standards to serve the educations of our young people- just more unilateral unchecked activity? Sooner or later, the truth emerges, and in that a beautiful educational promise may not be able to continue, long into the future. Lest we be reminded that there are no guarantees…and yet, how do we find the will to care and do something, together?

What are the reasons that a non-profit college preparatory institute of excellence has to act so irresponsibly, so flagrantly? Why is this Albuquerque Academy community defying the very guidelines and requirements that have been instituted and upheld, and that form the very ethics for a nationally recognized path to educational excellence? Why have we not been honest with ourselves, and each other, about the questions, misgivings, and activities in the past, and present?

As a dear alum said to me this evening, “The damage was done quite some time ago, now it is catching up with the entire community.” The students have been aware of issues: the salaries and what different individuals do and don’t do; which teachers are invested in the student’s education and concerns. Are we really surprised? Surely, we know we must take the steps to do what is right and work through these challenges; to make this Academy whole again. To have the moral courage to earn one’s place and the respect of the founders, the teachers and students, and the families and community stakeholders alike; all that are counting on us, because it the right thing to do. Think about this place, your kids, your reputation, these students, and why you chose this school, and what you came for. When you think about it, can you afford not to be a part of the solution? Let us make the effort to look within; consider what’s at stake; and resolve to work through the depth of challenges.

[Great Post Perspective!]

Yes, damage has been done, and yes we all must step up to help fix it. As a current parent, I am hoping that the Board issues another statement that there will be an open community meeting in the near future. The school must respond in a manner that takes concerns seriously. When you have teachers posting about being silenced, that is not just sad but scary. The press has gotten wind of all this. The best/only damage control, for the school’s sake, which coincides with the best interests of our children and future students, is open, honest, transparent dialogue. Please Board, think about this. I know some of your kids go to the Academy too. Is this how you want their teachers to feel? What lessons are we teaching them to allow this to go on?

Signed, A not disgruntled but sad and worried parent who loves a great deal about the school and knows it can be fixed!

• This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by savetheacademy.

[redux]

Just read Ashby Harper’s speech over at the “Leadership” forum – marvelous!
It’s also posted at “Our principal concerns.” Well worth reading.
Trustees, please take the alumna’s advice to heart. She is right: with leaders like Ashby Harper, the future will be bright for the Academy.

[Concerned Alum]

Concerned Alumnus here.

Whatever #alternativefacts Andy claims to have about his salary or might use to explain the dwindling size of the endowment, one simple question should be asked:

If Andy’s personal investment manager had managed his family’s money this poorly, what would he do? My strong suspicion, as he’s an intelligent guy, is that he would find someone else to do the job. He wouldn’t be unkind to do so, nor would it require him to slander the financial adviser or accuse him/her of malice. It would simply be a matter of “Hey, I gave you this money to manage well and grow it for the future; you didn’t do it, so I’ve got to find someone who will.”

Why should he, Mr. Gordon, or anyone else involved with the school’s finances be held to a lower standard, particularly when what is at stake is not a personal retirement fund, but the shaping of young minds?

All of us can sit around trying to divine the intentions of Andy, Mr. Gordon, and others. That’s a waste of time. Corruption, NOR good intent, can be observed in this case. What can be observed is clear, unequivocal, and objective consequences of poor decision-making in regards to the financial health of the school. Maybe they were trying to line their pockets, maybe they were simply doing the best they could with unassailable intentions. But really, what does it matter? Either way, the endowment is shrinking at an alarming rate, need-blind admission is a thing of the past, and the long-term sustainability of the school is at risk.

No point in making accusations about intent; rather, the “proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Have they done well meeting their responsibilities to the endowment and the mission of the school? The answer is an absolute and factual “no.”

That’s really all that has to be said. No need to get into the weeds about details, intent, character, etc. I don’t know Mr. Gordon, but I always found Andy to be a kind and respectful person who cares deeply about the school and it’s students. Unfortunately for both Andy and The Academy, that’s not all that’s required of him.

[Well said]

Concerned alum, I think your post really cuts to the chase and I couldn’t agree more.

No point arguing about intent or character. Failure to manage the endowment and carry out the school’s mission = failure to do the job.

Time to find people who can.

[Corazon]

I just carefully read the Fitch Ratings report posted at “In the News.” Incredible. It’s pretty clear that the problem with the Academy’s finances is not the real estate downturn, but overspending, that goes way back. Hard to deny that the Academy mission’s future is cloudy. I wish the board would give a more concrete plan for how it gets to “sustainable” spending. So far all we’ve had is a vague statement of “a five year plan.” Not good enough. The community deserves more specifics. Too much is at stake.

[Author]

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