To All Parents of The Village School of Naples,

My name is Jib Reagan, and I am a parent of three students at The Village School. I am writing regarding the recent communications from the Board of Trustees of The Village School of Naples and North Naples Church, which have created significant concern and uncertainty within our parent community at a critical financial decision point ahead of the April 15 tuition payment deadline.

This message is based on direct review of written communications issued by both governing boards and conversations with stakeholders. It is not based on rumor, speculation, or informal hearsay.  It also serves to support our school’s leadership and teachers, including Dr. Dennis Chapman, whose dedication to improving the school and prioritizing our children is clear.  They deserve our full support and respect.

As stated in the School Board’s April 9 communication, the Trustees indicated they believe they can no longer fulfill their fiduciary and legal obligations under the School’s bylaws due to recent directives from the Church Board. In response, the Church has stated in its April 10 communication that it intends to nominate a new Board of Trustees to continue guiding the School forward.

The simultaneous resignation of 11 School Board of Trustees – many of whom have served both the School and the Church – remains insufficiently explained and has raised serious concerns within the community.  This unusual situation highlights the need for a careful examination of Church Board leadership to understand what contributed to this outcome.  If, a new School Board is established, it is essential that clear structures and assurances are in place so its members can carry out their fiduciary duties with confidence and without undue risk.

At this time, however, families have not been provided with sufficient clarity regarding what changes—if any—will occur in leadership, governance structure, or decision-making authority moving forward.

Given this uncertainty, parents are now being asked to make an immediate and significant financial commitment for the upcoming school year without a clear understanding of the school’s operational direction or governance stability.

For that reason, I am urging that the school suspend the automatic withdraw of the April 15 tuition payments until a plan of action is shared by the Church Board and includes the following:

• The composition and authority of the new or interim governing board
• The governance relationship between the School and the Church
• Confirmation of continuity in the School’s mission, leadership, and operational independence.

This request is made solely to ensure that families can make fully informed financial decisions during a period of active transition.  As parents, we share a responsibility to support our children’s education, and we also deserve transparency and stability from the institutions we entrust with that responsibility.

Thanks,

Jib Reagan