Dear Waverly Administration and members of our Board,

We the parents of Waverly's students are so grateful for the hard work that has been put in by everyone at Waverly to keep our school going during what has been truly a trying couple of years. As the world begins to move out from under the shadow of Covid, we are hoping that our school will move towards optimism and stability.

It is no secret that teachers throughout the country have carried a difficult burden, not just educating, but supporting emotionally frightened isolated children while in the midst of balancing their own varied personal situations, their own emotions, and fears. All of this in the middle of not only a pandemic, but also a national racial reckoning that though long coming, ongoing and important has none the less been also painful and traumatic. Our gratitude to the teachers of Waverly is almost inexpressible. They have been there for our children throughout these difficult years, and we will not forget it. As far as our children are concerned the teachers of Waverly are Waverly. Which is why we are writing you today. Teacher retention after such a hard time is clearly becoming an issue throughout the education world. In the past few months, we have noticed Waverly has lost and or cut lose several teachers with very little or no notice; the most recent of those is Bennel Thompkins from our high school who has recently been put on leave. Every situation is individual, but there has been a high number of turn over at Waverly. The parents of Waverly are concerned. What we want most for our children in the coming year is stability, familiarity, and quality education from the teachers they have come to know and trust.

The parents of Waverly are asking the administration and the board to do everything within its power to support and retain our teachers and mentors.  We do not have confidence in any decisions that will change our faculty without due process and transparency.  For the immediate future and until the new Head of School takes his position at the school, we ask that the board and the administration wait on any decision as it relates to Bennel specifically.  He has been at the school for 18 years and losing him would be incredibly detrimental to the well-being of our community. We recognize that traditionally decisions regarding teachers’ employment are left between the Head of School and the faculty, without any interference from the Board or parent community. We agree that this is the appropriate approach. However, we are operating in extraordinary times, where the current Head of School is interim and will only be at Waverly until the end of June and the incoming Head of School should have the ability toassess the situation himself. The long-term ramifications of losing such a long-term, well respected teacher warrant this step.

We also ask that the administration immediately reinstate the position of Dean of Students and put Leo Glazé in the position on an interim basis until the new Head of School can formally discuss the position with Leo. Leo is a beloved faculty member who has a long history of working with the students, he has their admiration and trust and can offer them stability and support that is badly needed right now.  

Sincerely,

The Waverly Parents