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Staff member says investigation language harmed morale; calls for transparency
Summary
A staff member addressed the board about a recent district investigation and a reported vote of no confidence at Harrison Prep, saying language in the investigation diminished staff morale and urging collaborative, transparent follow-up from administration and the board.
A Clover Park School District staff member addressed the board to respond to comments reportedly made by district leaders during an internal meeting about the district's investigation into staff concerns at Harrison Prep.
The speaker said staff had been accused in the investigation report of "conscious and unconscious racism, unprofessional and insubordinate behavior, and not caring about students' success," and that those characterizations had further lowered staff morale and prompted some employees to consider voluntary transfers or to leave the district.
"Each of these assertions has had the effect of diminishing already low staff morale and leading many staff to seriously consider Superintendent Banner's invitation to request a voluntary transfer," the speaker said, characterizing the consequences of the report. The speaker asked whether assertions in the report represented the conclusions of a full board or the interpretation of specific administrators and called for accountability and collaboration to rebuild trust.
The comment followed public discussion about Harrison Prep student activities and fundraising; the staff speaker urged that the district's responses be transparent and equitable and that future communications avoid language that could be construed as personal attacks against staff.
No board action was announced in response during the meeting; the comment was part of the public comment period.
