EDITOR,
I’ve seen this all too often — one unskillful person, in a position of power, can bring down a good organization. I’m afraid we’re witnessing this with our school district.
True leadership is exemplified when one is able to work with people to generate widespread buy-in. During her tenure, we’ve witnessed Superintendent Susan Silver’s management style undermining the morale of our teachers and staff.
It is one thing if a small cadre has a problem with new leadership. But causing a wide array of teachers to feel demeaned, discouraged and fearful of retribution, while handing down edicts in a condescending fashion, is not leadership. It is dictatorship — dysfunctional behavior that no healthy organization or group of caring parents should ever accept.
Our daughter has had five excellent years at Brook Knoll Elementary School and is starting Scotts Valley Middle School this fall. I feel dismayed that Silver’s effect has caused several good teachers to leave the district and that more may follow.
That the board hired someone who frequently demonstrates divisive behavior makes me question how much skill they brought to the evaluation process. I find it difficult to believe that this woman’s management style was not out there in her history for them to review. And then, after she has negatively transformed the morale of this district, seeing that the board gave Silver a "superior" evaluation and extended her contract makes me further question the board’s judgment.
Susan Silver and the SVUSD board work for us. Enough already. Silver has caused enough damage to convince me that it is time for her to go. And, given that the board hired and supported her in the face of undermining the morale of the school district, I believe it is also time for a referendum on the school board members.
Eric Braun, Scotts Valley
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