December’s board meeting provided important insight into how the superintendent and board approach their responsibilities to our teachers, students, and community. Here’s what happened:

During the public comment forum, Dr. Starcher allowed a parent to speak but followed it with a 30-minute explanation of the board’s recent decisions. While she attempted to justify their actions, many in attendance felt the lengthy explanation left little time for other voices to be heard.

Dr. Starcher mentioned that 25% of staff are in retire/rehire positions, raising questions about how this aligns with the district’s staff management strategy and broader goals. The board’s decisions were framed as business strategies. Still, for many, this approach felt at odds with the human element of education and the importance of collaboration in addressing teacher shortages.

The room listened attentively when I spoke, but my comments did not receive a direct response. Dr. Starcher looked to a board member for guidance, who signaled to move on, and the public comment portion was subsequently closed. This left many in the community feeling unheard.

One poignant moment came when a student asked Dr. Starcher how long Mr. Sleek had been teaching. Dr. Starcher referred to her notes, prompting the student to reply, “If you have to look, then you don’t know. It’s 39 years—we in the community all knew that without having to look at notes.” This moment illustrated a perceived disconnect between the administration and the community.

The superintendent also mentioned strategies to expand the applicant pool by leveraging challenges in other districts, but some felt this approach sent a disheartening message to current staff. It emphasized competition over collaboration and gave the impression that loyalty and experience are undervalued.

For those who haven’t attended a board meeting, I encourage you to come and see for yourself. The decisions have far-reaching implications for our students, educators, and community. Teachers, parents, and even students often hesitate to speak up, fearing retaliation—a sentiment that should give us all pause.

Looking ahead, three board seats will open in 2025. This presents an opportunity to elect leaders who prioritize transparency, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of our school’s legacy. Change begins with us, and it’s clear that the voices of this community matter.

Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition and spoken out. Let’s continue to advocate for the educators and students who make Fort Frye what it is. We can build a future rooted in respect, accountability, and collaboration.

At December’s board meeting, I had the opportunity to address concerns about transparency, teacher support, and community collaboration. Below is my speech, which reflects how many in our community feel.

Good evening, members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Starcher, students and parents of the district, and fellow community members,

I come before you tonight as a proud Fort Frye School District product and a profoundly concerned community member. Tonight’s discussion goes beyond contracts—it’s about respect, legacy, and the impact of extraordinary educators who have dedicated their lives to shaping ours.

The teachers who have a combined 120 years of experience are more than just professionals. They are mentors, role models, and inspirations. They shaped me into who I am today. Because of Mr. Sleek’s Stats and Probability class, I learned how to think critically, solve problems, and convey solutions with data-driven insights. Ms. Scott’s Computer Sciences class equipped me with technical curiosity that set me apart in a tech-driven world. Mr. Bostic’s Leadership class taught me to lead with integrity and purpose and support high-impact teams in global organizations.

Thanks to these lessons, I’ve owned my own business, been on the ground floor of a tech start-up, and helped grow it from a small business to a multi-million company. I’ve also had the privilege of working for a world-class giant like Procter & Gamble in Research and Development, where I saw firsthand the importance of skills like innovation, leadership, and perseverance—all of which were instilled in me by the incredible educators at Fort Frye.

But this issue isn’t just about me. It’s about all the students who will lose out if these teachers are forced out prematurely. Appalachia already faces severe challenges in attracting and retaining quality educators. According to the Appalachian Regional Commission, rural districts like ours experience teacher shortages at significantly higher rates than the national average. We simply cannot afford to lose teachers of this caliber.

Dr. Starcher, your decision to seek replacements for these educators before allowing them the dignity to decide their own futures is profoundly disrespectful. After decades of service and excellence, these educators deserve the right to determine when they hang up their hats—not to have that decision taken from them under the guise of administrative necessity.

Furthermore, your justification—that the challenges facing another district might provide you with a broader pool of applicants—is both exploitative and demoralizing. You’re attempting to capitalize on the misfortunes of another district while simultaneously sending a clear message to your staff: their loyalty and excellence mean little in the face of external opportunities. This behavior undermines trust, dishonors commitments, and casts a shadow over the values this district should represent.

What message does this send to our students? To be blunt, it’s obtuse to think this decision wouldn’t have ripple effects. You are modeling that loyalty, hard work, and excellence can be tossed aside. To our students, this shows a lack of integrity and transparency. Worse still, what message does this send to our up-and-coming teachers? It’s already challenging to encourage people to enter this profession. Decisions like this make the job seem thankless and uncertain—deterring precisely the kind of passionate, dedicated educators we so desperately need.

The community is watching. These teachers have built a legacy that spans generations, and this decision risks irreparably damaging that legacy. These educators are not just filling positions—they are creating futures. They are the backbone of this district; without them, we lose far more than just staff members.

And if you think this community isn’t paying attention, let me remind you: in just 24 hours, we’ve gathered [insert number] signatures on a petition supporting these educators. This overwhelming response shows how deeply these teachers are valued by the people they’ve touched. The district’s decision hurts not just these teachers but our students, our community, and our future.

I demand that you reconsider. Show the students of this district, the community you serve, and these teachers that they matter. Honor their contributions and their humanity. Allow them the respect and dignity to determine when they step away—not to be cast aside as a contingency plan.
As you lay your head down tonight and reflect on this day, I hope my words—and the signatures of this community—are the last things you think of. Let them remind you of what’s at stake and the legacy you have the power to shape.

Fort Frye teachers like these changed my life. They changed countless lives. And they deserve better.

Thank you for your time.