Dear Editor,
Responsibility, accountability, transparency. These three qualities are common descriptors of school division superintendents and their governing trustees. Superintendents and trustees are rightly held to the highest standards. They are responsible for our students’ education, accountable to all stakeholders and transparent in their communications. At least, that is the expectation.
However, for the third time in seven years, a superintendent of Pembina Hills School Division is in the media for being suspended from their duties for reasons not disclosed.
It took years for the truth to be revealed that Richard Harvey was a thief. [Editor’s note: admitted to making more than $29,000 in fraudulent expense claims while working as a board superintendent. In January 2015, besides being ordered to repay the $29,000, the Crown and Harvey’s defence agreed to a conditional sentence.] To date, no explanation has been provided to staff or community for the untimely departure of Egbert Stang after a few short months as superintendent. His payout was a significant cost to taxpayers.
The sudden unexplained departure of any superintendent impacts everyone in our school community. Many staff are feeling stressed and demoralized as they are, once again, in the dark as to what is happening.
When I asked a trustee this week when the community would be provided information regarding the suspension of the current superintendent, the response to me was that it is with the lawyers now and may never come to light.
No Madame trustee – that is not an acceptable response. As long as information is not forthcoming, conjecture and rumour run rampant within the community, and understandably so. If Superintendent Symyrozum-Watt has been unfairly suspended she must be reinstated as soon as possible. If there are allegations against the superintendent that may result in further action, then it is incumbent upon the board to communicate that information to their stakeholders.
We, the community, have a right to be informed, to have our taxpayers costs for litigation kept to a minimum, to have our students and staff feel confident in and proud of their school division.
It is time the board provides their community with factual information regarding the superintendent’s suspension and continues to inform the public until there is resolution.
Responsibility, accountability and perhaps most important at this time – transparency.
Kathleen Hickey
Retired Administrator
Regional Office PHRD
County of Barrhead
