Pullman School Board concerned after vote

Pullman School Board members were left tired and wondering what to do after a drawn-out board meeting Wednesday night, in which teachers presented a resolution of no confidence in the district administration and many parents and community members expressed concerns about the leadership.

Tiffany Moler, an art teacher at Sunnyside Elementary, presented the resolution of no confidence to the school board on behalf of the Pullman Education Association. According to the school district, 163 teachers are in the PEA and 80 percent of its membership – about 130 teachers – voted on the resolution; 79 percent of those teachers – about 102 – voted in favor of the resolution of no confidence. There are 179 teachers in the district.

The resolution comes on the heels of two elementary school principals departing the district, and rumors one of them – Jefferson Principal Craig Nelson – was “chased out.”

Board member Susan Weed said Thursday she is “very concerned” about the matters presented.

“It’s not one of those things you’re going to ignore and just hope it goes away,” she said. “We’re all concerned – the whole administration team for the district and the school board. What the solution is, I do not know right now.”

Nathan Roberts, who was elected to the board in November and began his term in January, said he sees there are issues in the district.

“A vote of no confidence in the superintendent is a vote of no confidence in the board,” he said, stating that the school board is the boss for the superintendent. “We appreciate the level of courage it took to come out with that, and we will be discussing this a lot. We’re going to be reading the document, considering the issues and getting some more context. It’s disheartening.”

Roberts said he thinks the center of the issue lies in communication.

“We need to figure out a new communication plan and a better way to discuss information to explain to the public our perception,” he said. “… Where does this leave us? The next few weeks will be telling.”

The no confidence resolution included allegations against Superintendent Bob Maxwell and Assistant Superintendent Roberta Kramer. The claims included that the pair have not taken procedural input from hiring committees but have taken charge of hiring themselves; they have not attended to concerns and struggles of Pullman High School staff; they did not put forth the district’s Collective Bargaining Agreement in a timely manner; math and science standards are not aligned with state standards; monies have been spent placing teachers on administrative leave; and they have told staff they are not aware of problems in the district.

“Pullman students, parents, community and staff deserve a leadership team that shares our values and creates a community of learning, respect and open communication,” Moler said Wednesday night, reading from the resolution.

Weed said she wants those with concerns to share them with the board.

“For me, the next step would be verification of the claims. They need to send me examples,” she said.

She said the resolution of no confidence is “a huge problem,” but the school board needs more clarification before it can move forward.

“We’re very concerned. I appreciate the union’s vote of no confidence, and I recognize this means a lot to them,” she said. “But in my opinion – and it is only my opinion – so many of the accusations and complaints were kind of vague. I need to find out exactly what they are referring to. I need examples. … If we don’t know what’s broken, how can we fix it?”

Roberts echoed the same sentiment.

“That declaration was a bit of a wake up call,” he said. “It would be really helpful for us to know the big picture.”

Weed added that the board will be looking into the issues presented. Many of those who spoke at the meeting Wednesday night stated teachers are afraid to speak up because of fear of retribution. Weed said she hopes teachers know they can come to the board in confidence and in anonymity.

“I hate that they think they are going to be retaliated against. It makes me so sad. I love our teachers,” she said. “It’s so sad that it comes to this point.”

Board members Jim Evermann and Amanda Tanner as well as board president Allison Munch-Rotolo did not return calls for comment.