DANBURY TOWNSHIP – After requests by a group of parents for a third-party investigation of school leaders, the Danbury School Board has agreed to consult with the district’s attorney.
Moral questions of trust, leadership, accountability and integrity were at the forefront of the Danbury school board meeting on June 17. It was packed with more than 60 parents and residents. As was noted during public comments, the community appears to be split between people supportive of the district and those who demand answers about the conduct of Danbury High School Principal Laramie Spurlock.
Due to district rules about public participation, the board does not allow the public to name employees during their public comment time. Participation is also limited to a total of 30 minutes, with a maximum of 3 minutes of speaking time.
“We are considering what was discussed and we will be deliberating as a board. We will meet again in July and, in the interim, we will be consulting with our attorney for him to make a recommendation on how to proceed with this matter,” Board President Tim Mackey said. “There will be no action by the board tonight on this.”
The first to speak was Lance Woodworth, a parent with four children in Danbury Schools. Along with several other parents, Woodworth has already brought his concerns to district leadership, without his satisfaction.
His concerns were elevated when his 11-year-old son asked not to go back to the district due to the controversy.
“Over the past several months, I’ve watched my 11-year-old [son] struggle in ways no child should have to,” Woodworth said. “This is a child who recently was recognized for excellent attendance. He loved school. He wanted to be there every day. Today, he asks to be homeschooled because he doesn’t want to go back.”
Woodworth did not further describe his problems with school leadership, but did say “Some may view this as a matter between consenting adults. That may be true as well, but when the actions of school leaders have consequences that extend beyond those adults and affect students, families and community trust, it becomes more than a private matter.”
What he and his group asked the board for is authorization for “an independent third-party investigation into whether district policies, ethical expectations and standards of conduct were followed, and whether the district’s response was sufficient to protect student well-being and maintenance of community trust.”
The letter the group sent to the board was read by Tony Corona, one of the signers. He summed up the reading by saying, “Our intent is not to inflame rumors and create division, but rather to uphold the standards and values that have long made Danbury as source of pride in the community.”
The opposing side stood as a group, with teacher Jessica Yount speaking in support of the administration.
“With your leadership, our middle school has received the [State] Momentum Award this year. This award demonstrates the outstanding improvement in student achievement while continuing to show strong economic growth,” Yount said. “The systems and policies that have recently been put in place have contributed to some of the highest student achievement in substantive results that our buildings have seen in years.”
Yount also listed various programs implemented at the schools while thanking board members. She did not mention the concerns of other parents.
The district is represented by the 35-year-old Pepple & Waggoner law firm, which specializes in working with boards of education. Founder William Pepple was in attendance at the meeting, but did not speak.
The next scheduled board meeting is August 19 at 5 p.m., but Superintendent Cari Buehler said that a special meeting would be scheduled for July.
Contact Roger LaPointe at 419-332-2674.
This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Danbury Schools considering 3rd-party investigation into leadership
Reporting by Roger LaPointe, Fremont News-Messenger / Port Clinton News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Roger LaPointe, Fremont News-Messenger | USA TODAY Network
