To the River Valley School District Board of Education:

We would like to make our position as a group known to you, as we are of a like mind, in regards to the recent mandatory leave of absence imposed upon our Principal, Mrs. Heidi Clark, at Chikaming Elementary School. As community members, we have become aware of circumstances of Mrs. Clark’s suspension and we are against it for the following reasons: 

1.  Mrs Clark is a beloved member of the community and prior to this incident, to our knowledge, has executed her duties and responsibilities as principal for a decade in an exemplary fashion 

2. Superintendent Bojanich, with less than 6 months on the job, has not had sufficient time to evaluate Mrs. Clark. Particularly with COVID protocols, interaction has been limited among people, and there is no way that the superintendent could have a fully informed opinion of Mrs. Clark’s full impact on the school and community at large.

3. It is negligent on Superintendent Bojanich’s part to even suggest termination of Mrs. Clark in response to one disgruntled parents complaint. Even more concerning, it’s very possible the parent forming the complaint has a biased motive to try to harm Mrs. Clark for her participation in a contentious family legal situation. However, responding to court subpoena is clearly within the requirements of Mrs. Clark’s duties as principal. In fact, had she not appeared, that would have been a failure of duty.

4. Even if Mrs. Clark is guilty of the things alleged, termination as a first step is negligent and opens the district up to the possibility of a wrongful termination lawsuit. A more appropriate action would have fallen far short of a leave of absence and pursuing termination.

5. Superintendent Bojanich’s actions represent a dereliction of duty, depriving students of a critical support during an extremely stressful time. By going so far as to put Mrs Clark on leave, which he knew would necessarily be paid, he has cost the district money, and stressed the remaining administration at an already stressful time.  The resulting fear and confusion has been painful and confusing for the entire community for no good end.

6.To deprive children of an exceptional  lifelong educator over a claim of bias is a clearly hyperbolic reaction, the motives of such action belie reason, and smacks of personal dislike on the part of the superintendent.,

Therefore we, the undersigned members of the River Valley Community, humbly request the board call a special meeting and vote  immediately to re-instate Mrs. Clark. And unless additional evidence has come to light, we ask the board to vote to a limited investigation so this hugely distracting matter can quickly be brought to a close.