To the SISD board, I commend you for the clear voice you have used thus far in your oversight of the theatre decision. You have made it clear that you understand harm was done to students. You have also made it clear that you are exercising all tools available to you to address it.

As you deliberate on the role that the superintendent and others played in this egregious trampling of students’ rights and well being, I hope that you consider an even larger context. Since I understand that many of you were not typically consulted or informed of the superintendent’s decisions, often hearing of them when the public did, please consider a very small sample:

1. Shortly after being appointed superintendent, Tyson Bennett effectively removed several women leaders from the district, in spite of stellar reviews from Dr. David Hicks. Their crimes? Two of them were considered by the board for the position of superintendent with Tyson and were more qualified to lead, and they served as a voice that did not adhere to Tyson’s narrow views. Tyson, having almost no teaching experience or student development experience, decided to remove those that did and replace them with friends that adhered to his narrow views and who would not present a challenge to him. This had negative impact on the district - in staff morale, in a loss of expertise, and in creating a culture of fear of retaliation. 

2. Tyson implemented a new convocation. Gone were community celebrations that put faculty and staff at the center and in were religious revivals that made many feel marginalized. I personally heard from dozens of SISD staff about how uncomfortable this made them. In the capstone event where the superintendent sets the tone for the district, Tyson Bennett cultivated an inhospitable workplace for so many SISD faculty and staff. This has carried forward to campuses. This is a problem. Faculty feel inhibited to use their talents to teach. 

3. Tyson created a position of director of character education. The board knows this as they approved the position. But the board was not consulted on the actual hiring for that position. When Tyson was asked by me for details about this role, how the duties would be performed, and how success would be measured he replied (testily) that this was new and they’d figure it out. Board, given the pattern we’ve seen in the way Tyson behaves toward certain students, the hiring of this position should have had inputs from you. 

4. Tyson’s refusal to acknowledge the harm done to students by Anna Wylie’s action, and his response that providing support to these students is not his problem, speaks volumes. I don’t need to say more. 

5. Anna Clarkson’s brave comments this week shed light on the pattern of exclusion sought by Tyson Bennett. It demonstrates that Tyson’s personal beliefs prevented him from acting in the best interest of students. Actually, his desire to act on his personal beliefs caused harm to students.

They’ve also caused harm to faculty and staff. 

I believe you have laid out your path to address these things. In addition, I ask that you consider taking these additional actions:

1. Make certain that the special investigation into the theatre decision is done by a truly independent investigator and that the scope of the investigation include SISD board members.

2. Assess a process for SISD staff and faculty to better communicate concerns without fear of retaliation.

3. Pursue inquiry into the practices of Tyson’s appointees that appear to be creating environments that are not supportive of students, faculty, and staff. 

4. Form a citizens’ committee to discuss and address the concerns of LGTBQ students and parents and ways to best support them.

5. Consider doing the same for other underrepresented students and parents.