Dear
Ron, Ed, Frances and John:
As you probably know, our most recent and particularly contentious Board meeting left me frustrated and distressed. As you may also know, afterwards, in an e-mail seeking ideas to make meetings work better, I shared an inappropriate remark in jest and in private with a fellow Board member and staff member. That remark has since become public.
I realize nothing excuses this kind of comment, not even the inexcusable behaviors of others. Board meetings have been filled with bickering and rancor, and it hurts our ability to help students do better. You know me well enough to know how deeply committed I am and how frustrated I become when we lose sight of our mission. Regardless, the wrong thing to do is to perpetuate bad behaviors and bad feelings.
For that reason, I apologize to you, as well as to John and Frances, for my inappropriate remark. At the same time, I am issuing a call for civility among us all from this day forward. That civility will begin with me. I will adhere to a higher standard and maintain the politest level of discourse, even when we disagree.
What is civility? It is the absence of personal attacks. It is the conduct of the public business with the public interest in mind, without personal political agendas. This is a time of unity and heightened civility throughout the nation. Our Board needs to show unity and practice civility in our common struggle against underachievement. If we don't do this for the sake of our students, we will have failed.
To turn words into actions, at our next Board meeting, I will propose retaining a consultant or consultants to work with the Board. My hope is that they can help us achieve civility and govern better for the benefit of the students. Please support me in this.
I promise to do everything in my ability to keep our discourse and debate at the highest level until my term on this Board has expired.
Sincerely,
Sue Braun
President
