To the Academy Leadership Team

[Conscience]

To the Academy Leadership Team,

We are shocked to read the summary of Andy Watson’s meeting with you on Feb 9, posted by “better to not dissent” at “Meeting with Trustees” forum.

Look at point 2: “It was discussed at length that dissenters within AA should be systematically fired, and Andy stated that he really doesn’t mind if dissenting parents pull their children from AA.”

Dissent is essential for any healthy organization. In fact, our Faculty Handbook says, on p. 40, “The right to dissent is an essential element in the maintenance of academic freedom.”

Fostering a safe space for differing opinions is at the heart of all great institutions. To simply get rid of people with different opinions by “systematically firing” them has no place in the Academy that Albert and Barbara Simms envisioned.

Also, imagine how insulting it is to any parent with a legitimate concern to know that Andy “doesn’t mind if dissenting parents pull their children from AA.”

Our mission says that “We commit to creating a caring, inclusive, and just community…” How can you be “caring, inclusive, and just” when you fireanyone who disagrees with you?

Senior faculty and staff: you are intelligent, principled people. Don’t let anyone instruct you to act against what you know is right.

Faculty and Parents

[ClassOf19]

Contrasted with:

In hiring its 29th president, Harvard University is turning to one of its own.

Lawrence Bacow, a former president of Tufts University who has three degrees from Harvard, will succeed Drew Faust, the university’s first female president, the school announced Sunday
Bacow recognized the challenges facing institutions of higher education today, saying “some of the criticism is fair.

“We need to do a better job of controlling our costs,” he said. “We need to do a better job of operating more efficiently, we need to collaborate with others, with our peer institutions, with industry and the broader world.”

“And,” he continued, “we need to be vigilant to ensure that our campuses are always open to new ideas. That they are places where our members feel free to express themselves and also where every member of this community feels that he or she belongs.”

[Bitcoin]

Oh, please. Don’t turn to one of our own. The poison has seeped so deeply! Ms. Lipkowitz is in on the game.

[honestas]

Thanks, Conscience, for starting this thread.

Here are the 9 points from Andy Watson’s meeting on Friday, Feb 9, as posted by “better to not dissent.”

I hope the entire community takes a moment to read carefully each of these points. How has such a fine school come to this?

Some observations from Andy’s meeting with senior faculty and staff.

1. Andy accepts blame for nothing. In fact appeared quite smug.
2. It was discussed at length that dissenters within AA should be systematically fired, and Andy stated that he really doesn’t mind if dissenting parents pull their children from AA.
3. Andy and the board will present talking points for meeting attendees to espouse and parrot when questioned by coworkers, parents and others.
4. Andy and Gary vehemently denied that there is any truth in Mr. Hibbet’s letter.
5. Gary was passionate about how well the endowment has been managed and Andy echoed Gary’s praise.
6. Andy stated that AAPA supports him and the board 100%.
7. Andy suggested that this entire issue has been caused by a handful of disgruntled stakeholders that are habitual complainers that feel that they never get their way.
8. Andy stated that the board supports him 100%.
9. There was no real dissent from the meeting attendees.

[Disbelief]

Leadership Team, please think about Andy’s instruction to you.

3. Andy and the board will present talking points for meeting attendees to espouse and parrot when questioned by coworkers, parents and others.

You work at an independent school. Every day we teach our students to think independently, NOT to parrot anyone. Our mission asks our students to serve their community with conviction. Please do the same – be the example to all of us that good leaders should be.

Please, refuse to parrot anything – think for yourselves and do what’s right.

[Another Day in Paradox]

Re #7: If there are so few who are disgruntled, perhaps at the faculty-staff inservice next Tuesday, each person be issued one green and one red marble. Then have a reputable accounting firm not associated with AA count the votes. Greens mean yes, Andy, you are correct and have no blame and full support. Red means we are concerned and find your actions and statements to be of great concern and do not support you or the board.

[CFO]

Wondering if anyone has heard who the new CFO is or who are the top candidates for the job?

[savetheacademy]

A quick reminder – even though they may seem humorous, this isn’t the place for personal attacks. Thanks. – Site admins

[In Disbelief]

To any lawyers who might be reading this thread:

re: Point 2 of the unofficial minutes of the 2/9 leadership meeting:

Is it LEGAL for the head of school and his circle of supporters to PLAN to find ways to fire employees who disagree with the institution’s politics, even if they do so with good reason and in polite ways?

It’s pretty clear that this sort of plotting is unethical, and that it goes so far as being willing to punish the children of any parent who dissents, but is this kind of thing against the law?

[ClassOf19]

From:

Preventing and Investigating Fraud, Embezzlement, and Charitable Asset Diversion: What’s a Nonprofit Board to Do?

“While nonprofits should encourage the reporting of suspected wrongdoing to management or a designated board member, employees (and volunteers) must have a means of anonymous communication if they do not feel comfortable reporting to their supervisor or management. Employees may not report theft or mismanagement if they believe that their job is in jeopardy. The board of directors must ensure these reports are taken seriously, that the reporting party is protected, and that outside legal counsel is brought in as appropriate. By adopting and implementing a whistleblower protocol, the board of directors can set a “tone at the top” to inspire confidence and ensure that employees and volunteers follow proper internal controls and protocols, including reporting troubling activities among the organization’s personnel.”

[Tahoe2]

So now we learn that the Academy’s “Leadership Team” apparently invited students to a morning session last Thursday with Mr. Honegger without informing us, the faculty. Looks more and more like a ham-handed attempt at “divide and conquer.”

If you want proof of a complete lack of trust, this is it. How incredibly disappointing.

[Responding to Tahoe2]

My child and her friends were afraid to go to the meeting. Also, the 7:15 am time frame made it too early to even contemplate going. Mr Honeggar can use the lack of student interest as a weapon against the movement to bring all the financial syshenanegans out into the open. It was a smart mover by the BOD to keep the lid on all the malfeasance that has occurred.

[Zina]

I don’t know of any kids who were brave enough to go.

How was this publicized? Did parents know? Given the current atmosphere at the school, I’d be afraid of reprisals toward my children if they did go. (And I didn’t know about it – did I miss something?)

[Tampopo]

Academy Leadership Team, please consider this. One of you bravely spoke up at Tuesday’s meeting with the trustees. If ALL of you contact the board and tell the truth about the Academy and its leadership problems, they will listen.

Please, email Adam Honegger. honegger@aa.edu. You can do it privately. Tell him what your Leadership Team mate said on Tuesday. “We cannot wait to start a head search in 2-4 years. We need new leadership now.”

You are defining your legacy by your actions. Remember how many times you have told your students in your classes: “in a life, there are times when we are called to courage. And those moments define us.”

This is just such a moment for all of you. Please, do what is right. Speak up.

[Caveat Emptor]

As parents, when questioning some decisions by the Administration and individual faculty members, we have been told by senior administrators that we need understand that AA is a “liberal school” and if we do not agree with its politics we can choose another path for education. Individual Board members echo that sentiment. More than once has it been suggested our concerns about specific issues are not welcomed or—worse—legitimate. There is no open dissent or dialogue at even the most basic level, so any questions regarding their fiduciary duties will be shut down even more quickly. Other than speak up, are there any other avenues?

[Author]

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