Dear CAISL Board Members:
We, the CAISL parents listed below, are writing to communicate our concerns about the manner in which Principal Ted Fuller was dismissed. We respectfully request that the Board conduct a thorough review into the decision to determine whether proper procedures were followed and if the dismissal was justified. Based on the information available to us, it has raised significant procedural and substantive concerns. Specifically, we believe that the dismissal:
- Was poorly handled, lacked clear justification, and fails to reflect the basic principles of a fair process. The dismissal stands in direct contradiction to Principal Fuller’s documented performance evaluations that consistently reflected positive performance. It is our understanding that Principal Fuller was not formally or properly advised of performance deficiencies, nor was he granted an opportunity to review or address any concerns prior to his termination.
- Was largely influenced by complaints from a small number of families and ignored the majority of stakeholders’ opinions of Principal Fuller: that he was doing excellent work leading the CAISL secondary program with expertise, dignity, and students’ best interests in mind.
- Jeopardizes students’ education. Students will now have less access to caring and competent adults, since existing staff must now increase their workload and further divide their time among students. Our outstanding faculty will have less professional development opportunities, with diminished levels of support and supervision from overextended leaders.
- Did not reflect CAISL’s values of responsibility, integrity and respect for others. Announcing the firing on a Thursday afternoon, three weeks into the school year, and with no explanation led to rampant speculation and rumors, adversely affecting teacher morale, creating damaging divisions among parents and students, and causing great reputational damage to Principal Fuller.
We care about the education, safety and well-being of ALL students, as well as faculty and staff, at CAISL, and we hope that the Board will demonstrate the same by addressing our concerns.
