To: Dr, Sandra Smyser and the PSD Board of Education From: The staf at Fossil Ridge High School Regarding: The firing of Will Allen Date: May 23,2017 The faculty and staff ata high school are often good barometer of a principal's performance because of a lose, daly working relationship: therefore, the faculty are ina good position to know when a principal's performance is lacking. That is why we, the faculty at Fosil Ridge High School, were shocked and dismayed at the announcement that Will Allen was being placed on administrative leave. While a principal has to make ‘many dtficlt decisions that will not be popular with every member of the school community, Mr. Allen ha the respect and confidence of the majority of the faulty at Fosil Ridge High School ‘We do not know the reasons that Dr. Sandra Smyser decided not to renew Mr. Allen's contract. We do know that confidentiality rules prohibit the disclosure of those reasons, and we respect those rules; however, we find it dlisconcerting that Mr. Allen was put on administrative leave and ultimately fired during the school year when the loss of a peincipal is very disruptive to a school. Tis despite the fat that a PSD representative was quoted inthe Coloradoan as stating that Mr. Allen's conduct did “act involve inappropriate behavior or improper actions with students.” Because we don’t know the details of Mr. Allen's dismissal we cannot judge the appropriateness, wisdom or justice ofthe decision to dismiss him. If we had witnessed a history of poor Performance or knew of any malfeasance on Mr, Allen's part, we, as a staff would stand aside and accept the ‘decision to remove him without protest; however we, the faculty who work in the closest proximity to Mr. Allen, have not witnessed such things and must question his dismissal. ‘What we can say with certainty, is that this process has been extremely disruptive and disheartening to many of the students and staf members at Fossil Ridge High School. Mr. Allen was widely respected and admired. The vacuum of his absence has been ably filled by Dr. Julie Chaplain and the est of our excellent administative ‘eam, but we are deeply concemed about the future repercussions of this decision The faculty are in a unique postion to know the inner workings of our school, and we are largely a a loss to explain the eason behind Me. Allen’s dismissal. We fear thatthe voices of a disgruntied minority have been privileged over that ofthe ‘majority. Ifthe complaints of a voeal minority led to Mr. Allens dismissal rather than some fireabe offense, it doesn’t bode wel for the future ofthe school. What decent and qualified eandidate would be willing to take the principal's job at Fossil Ridge or at any ther school in this district if they believe that making unpopular but necessary decisions could lead to thir firing as we suspect was the case with Mr. Allen? ‘Many Fossil Ridge teachers also feel a growing sense of frustration over the vague and bewildering ‘communication from the district administration. In two face to face meetings Assistant Superintendent Scott Nielsen and Human Resources Director Vicki Thompson told the staff that they couldn't reveal any details of Mr. Allen’s situation because of confidentiality rules. However, in a subsequent email tothe community intended to quell rumors, the district did reveal details that they neglected 1o share atthe fice to face meeting — ‘most notably the line that stated that the issues they were investigating regarding Mr. Allen did “not involve inappropriate behavior or improper interactions with students.” This email and other details published in the Coloradoan raised numerous questions among the staff that induced confusion and frustration, We subsequently asked for clarification several times from our superintendents fice, inviting Dr. Smyser to personally adress the entire Fossil Ridge staf. In all cases she amicably and professionally dectined to meet with us. Out of faimess it must be noted that Mr. Nielsen did respond in person to an inquiry from a singe staff member, but ‘we'd like to engage in a broader discourse to quell the rising level of anxiety among Fossil staff and students. . i ie ‘Because central leadership has not acquiesced to a staf-wide conversation to address what we believe are valid auestons, we fel he ned to come ciety to them and tothe board Een simple poser caifcatos hich mi oly logical and evidence based from our central administration's Betiding ous, What porpce doe it serve or insane, o dismiss Wil Allen por 1 theend ofthe schooyear? Why couldn't his iring/eplacement wait until after bis 2016-2017 contract expires this summer?’ Why disrupt important end of yeat celebrations such as graduation and final exams withthe systemically unsettling news ofthe decision to unseat our leader? Why are we to haven interim principal for an entire year before hiring « permanent replacement? Why must we seek information through second and third hand sources lke the Coforadoan, especially when we have asked personaly for clarification from our superintendent? How can we bbecome more integral partners with our district leadership in solving the problems they perceive exist in our building? We have been given no access to our former principal, and, regardless of whatever “process” district leaders elt obligated to follow, why did Mr. Allen have to explain his desire to resign through & newspaper? Why wasn't he givea the opportunity to resign if he was willing to do so? And the reason he gave for wanting ‘that resignation is deeply troubling, especially since he stated verbatim that his “vision and the distit's vision «lid not align.” Many of us felt Will Allen was extremely visionary, and that be communicate that Vision ‘egulaely and effectively with transparency, purpose and hear. Ifhis vision didnot align withthe distriet leadership, then what should we make ofthe tremendous success our school continues to achieve such asthe John Irwin Award for Excellence? The lst of accomplishments the students and staff at Fossil Ridge High ‘School have eared is long, and we feel Will Allen’s vision and leadership has been instrumental in producing those tremendous results. If his vision is out of line withthe district, many of our stall now rightly worry that thet vision, too, is out of sync with dstict goals and ends. How will such divergence be redirceted to restore Staff trust and renew our faith in district leadership? How can we become a more viable component of the lively «democratic discussion of our Fossil stakeholders? Does the voice of the staf deserve tobe assessed and heard at equal volume to the loud voices ofa disgruntied minority iitated by the decisions of is leadership who are ALWAYS in a postion of weighing legitimate need against legitimate need? How can the FRHS staff work with central administration to effectively and fairly manage the competing voices that area pat of our vibrant School culture? We need and deserve answers to these questions. ‘We also want to take this public opportunity to thank Will Allen for his years of service in Pouce School District. He made a ful orbit in our Fossil community and his impact was huge-once an admired teacher at Fossil Ridge High School, then a principal at one of Fossl's feeder elementary schools, finally becoming is {impassioned instructional leader. In all the talk about whatever mysterious and allegedly unacceptable things, Will Allen did to fose his position as our leader at Fossil he put himself a risk in his earee for the good of students, parents and staff. He was @ measurably effective role model o his colleagues and no fair minded. person ever doubted his zest for education or the strength and sizeof his passionate heat. It would be unethical ‘not to applaud and celebrate his contributions, not to thank him loudly and sincerely forthe life's work he has dedicated to students, to colleagues at every level and every stage of his deeply impactful career. Sincerely ‘The Staff of Fossil Ridge High School