October 26, 2020
Monday AM

I am writing this letter to the board to express concern and frustration of the complete incompetence of the leadership in the district. At a time when the communities emotions are at al all time high, there is absolutely NO reason that a text, email etc. should have been sent out with inaccurate information. That is NOT a mistake that is taken lightly. Causing fear and panic in this already trying time is unacceptable.
 
For those of you who are unaware there was a message sent out on Thursday October 15th at 3:03 pm. The message read Press Release: Update- Positive COVID-19 Case at Ketchikan Charter School. Followed by a message at 3:14pm stating to disregard last message. There is no positive COVID case at Ketchikan Charter School. The complete incompetence in the leadership in the district is not a new thing. The community is well aware that its been going on for far longer than it ever should have. As a mother of two in this district, I am trying to make the best of the situation we have been handed. For the safety and well being of my children I rely on open, clear and accurate communication from the district.

 The Board was made aware of the communities concerns before voting on a contract for said leadership. The hiring process in this leadership was not done in the proper way. Pretty much everything was behind closed doors and not done in the traditional way it is supposed to take place. There needs to be community input as well as meet and greets and those kinds of things. 

The community voices that stepped up this summer just proved that no communication took place. We were promised weekly updates on the start up if this school year. Guess what? Those never came. Imagine being a parent of a student who is asking all kinds of simple questions daily about the up and coming school year. We knew this year was going to look different, but what I didn't know was how to answer  my child's simple questions. Do we have recess? Do we get P.E.? Will I get to see my friends? These things were being discussed and decided behind closed doors by a select few people chosen by the district "leadership". Without the knowledge or even input of any community members including parents. 

There is no I in TEAM. I feel the district leadership considers that they are the I in TEAM.  Without proper transparent communication there is no TEAM at all. The children and community members as well as parents are the main components of this leadership team. We as parents cannot do this alone and quite frankly without our children there is no TEAM to begin with. 

These situations are just some of the many reasons that the leadership of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District needs a complete and total overhaul. Now is the time to represent those in our community who have elected you to this board. This community deserves honest and transparent communication from the leadership of this district. You cant continue to let this be a one person say all do all. We are all a TEAM together.

Thank you,

Allison Brown (mother of two)
Ketchikan, Alaska

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Received October 17, 2020 - Published October 26, 2020

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