Dear Editor,

Birch Tree Elementary school has been left without a dedicated principal, a situation that many parents, taxpayers, and community members believe will have detrimental effects on the students. These community members are organized, holding meetings, and circulating a petition. Their concerns have been ignored. One of our primary concerns is the absence of stable leadership and the school’s ability to provide consistency and support for its children. Over our protest, frustrations have grown even further following the hiring of a new assistant principal for Birch tree Elementary under questionable circumstances.

The newly hired assistant principal in Birch Tree is reportedly a resident of Mountain View and related to the school’s current principal of Mountain View Elementary. Adding to the controversy, as of right now, the individual does not yet hold all of the required certification for the position.

 

Meanwhile, in Birch Tree, more than one local resident who applied for the same position was not selected. The community is frustrated. The Birch Tree applicants met the same qualifications but were passed over in favor of the Mountain View candidate. This makes absolutely no sense as the Birch Tree candidates would’ve known our community better and our children better.

 

The decision has led to growing concerns about fairness and transparency in the hiring process, among an already existing environment of mistrust. Why must the Birch Tree school community continue to face setbacks while opportunities are given elsewhere under potentially biased circumstances? Why does Birch Tree not deserve its own principal? Why the change for an assistant principal?

 

We want to have a town hall meeting, so we have the chance to voice our questions and concerns but so far Lanna Tharp has declined it. Which leaves us very frustrated and questioning the so-called transparency they claim to have.

 

We, parents, taxpayers, and community members, are calling for accountability and answers from district officials.

 

Rachelle McKinney, Birch Tree