To Board Members of the Brooklyn Music School:
It has been four weeks since we sent a request that Crocker Coulson be removed from the Brooklyn Music School board. Although we understand he is no longer board chair, his continued presence on the board remains untenable. We, the undersigned, respectfully petition that he be removed from the board and that the board address the concerns of the BMS faculty and staff.
As of today, the board has not responded to the many parents who wrote letters expressing their concern about Mr. Coulson’s role on the board. They and many other parents continue to speak directly to the faculty and staff about this matter, putting us in an awkward position.
While we understand that Mr. Coulson has contributed time and energy to BMS, we have more often than not felt that his efforts were misplaced and have had a destructive effect on faculty and staff morale. Even in his new capacity on the board, he continues to call on staff directly, overstepping boundaries and creating confusion and dissent about the proper chain of command. This has a deleterious effect on the institution at large.
We also fear that Mr. Coulson’s legal troubles will continue to damage the BMS brand, given the recent news coverage. Many of us have spent years helping to build BMS, and we feel he is using the school’s reputation and good will within the community to rehabilitate his own reputation. His priorities have been a drain on human and capital resources. We have no objections to his future involvement with the school as a parent and community member, but his position on the board continues to damage the school’s reputation and its ability to function properly.
We are extremely concerned that the BMS board is not aware of what is happening within the school. Crocker Coulson has communicated his own priorities and beliefs about the school to the remainder of the board. In meetings with him, many faculty and staff members have concluded that his assessment and views of BMS are inaccurate and misguided. Our own views have been disregarded and sidelined. He does not value our expertise. Going forward, we would like a forum in which board members and faculty and staff can communicate about issues important to the school.
We care deeply about Brooklyn Music School and for its future as a vibrant center of the arts in our community. We look forward to writing a new chapter with the board, and to returning to our primary mission of music and dance arts education. We value your thoughts and welcome your support.
We look forward to your response.
BMS Faculty and Staff
Updates
November 3, 2019
The administration remains silent regarding the formal request submitted by our staff. This lack of communication confirms our deep concerns about the current leadership structure and the ongoing impact on our institution. We are continuing our work to ensure that the board recognizes the gravity of this situation.
November 3, 2019
The growth of this movement demonstrates that our concerns are shared by many who care deeply about the integrity of this institution. Your collective resolve reaffirms that formal accountability remains a priority for the entire school community.
18 Comments
The BMS faculty, parents, and broader Brooklyn community have been unequivocal in their position. Crocker Coulson’s actions both professionally and personally are at odds with the mission and value of the school. He must be removed from any and all associations he has with BMS immediately. Is there no code of conduct our board members are to be held accountable against?
As a parent I am in full support of the faculty's petition. As parents we have entrusted BMS with the musical education of our children. We expect that the school upholds the highest standards of ethics and responsibility. Having this person represent the school in any capacity is unacceptable.
I have been teaching at Brooklyn Music School for 18 years now. Most of my feelings are expressed in the letter and comments made above, but I would like to amplify a few points already made. Mr. Coulson's representation of where the school is and what it needs are not accurate and often align more with his own agenda than that of the students, parents, and faculty of BMS. I've been frustrated by the disconnect between the board and the actual needs of the school at other times but never so much as now. Thank you for your attention.
I agree with this assessment. Even after Mr. Coulson's... stepping down as chair of the trustees, he has maintained the position he is in charge. Demonstrated by calling the finance office the morning after, what was thought to be a final conference call to prepare a presentational budget, with demands for changes to what had been agreed on. In the opinion of the finance manager, the proposed goals changes are unreachable, under his current proposed staffing of the Fundraising and Development department.
For clarification Ann, Mr. Coulson was not only accused of a crime, he was found guilty by a Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge.
MAKE BMS NOT TOXIC AGAIN!!!!!
JUST GET HIM OUT PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
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To Board Members of the Brooklyn Music School:
It has been four weeks since we sent a request that Crocker Coulson be removed from the Brooklyn Music School board. Although we understand he is no longer board chair, his continued presence on the board remains untenable. We, the undersigned, respectfully petition that he be removed from the board and that the board address the concerns of the BMS faculty and staff.
As of today, the board has not responded to the many parents who wrote letters expressing their concern about Mr. Coulson’s role on the board. They and many other parents continue to speak directly to the faculty and staff about this matter, putting us in an awkward position.
While we understand that Mr. Coulson has contributed time and energy to BMS, we have more often than not felt that his efforts were misplaced and have had a destructive effect on faculty and staff morale. Even in his new capacity on the board, he continues to call on staff directly, overstepping boundaries and creating confusion and dissent about the proper chain of command. This has a deleterious effect on the institution at large.
We also fear that Mr. Coulson’s legal troubles will continue to damage the BMS brand, given the recent news coverage. Many of us have spent years helping to build BMS, and we feel he is using the school’s reputation and good will within the community to rehabilitate his own reputation. His priorities have been a drain on human and capital resources. We have no objections to his future involvement with the school as a parent and community member, but his position on the board continues to damage the school’s reputation and its ability to function properly.
We are extremely concerned that the BMS board is not aware of what is happening within the school. Crocker Coulson has communicated his own priorities and beliefs about the school to the remainder of the board. In meetings with him, many faculty and staff members have concluded that his assessment and views of BMS are inaccurate and misguided. Our own views have been disregarded and sidelined. He does not value our expertise. Going forward, we would like a forum in which board members and faculty and staff can communicate about issues important to the school.
We care deeply about Brooklyn Music School and for its future as a vibrant center of the arts in our community. We look forward to writing a new chapter with the board, and to returning to our primary mission of music and dance arts education. We value your thoughts and welcome your support.
We look forward to your response.
BMS Faculty and Staff
Updates
November 3, 2019
The administration remains silent regarding the formal request submitted by our staff. This lack of communication confirms our deep concerns about the current leadership structure and the ongoing impact on our institution. We are continuing our work to ensure that the board recognizes the gravity of this situation.
November 3, 2019
The growth of this movement demonstrates that our concerns are shared by many who care deeply about the integrity of this institution. Your collective resolve reaffirms that formal accountability remains a priority for the entire school community.
18 Comments
Toxic and predatory behavior has no place in our society, much less in an educational institution focused on children. It reflects extremely poorly on the school and its board that someone who has behaved in such a way has been retained in a leadership role--chairing the board or serving on the board in any capacity. Why would you allow this? No amount of money and influence, if this is indeed the reason, is worth the stain this brings upon the institution of BMS. As an educator and BMS parent, I'm appalled.
The BMS faculty, parents, and broader Brooklyn community have been unequivocal in their position. Crocker Coulson’s actions both professionally and personally are at odds with the mission and value of the school. He must be removed from any and all associations he has with BMS immediately. Is there no code of conduct our board members are to be held accountable against?
As a parent I am in full support of the faculty's petition. As parents we have entrusted BMS with the musical education of our children. We expect that the school upholds the highest standards of ethics and responsibility. Having this person represent the school in any capacity is unacceptable.
I have been teaching at Brooklyn Music School for 18 years now. Most of my feelings are expressed in the letter and comments made above, but I would like to amplify a few points already made. Mr. Coulson's representation of where the school is and what it needs are not accurate and often align more with his own agenda than that of the students, parents, and faculty of BMS. I've been frustrated by the disconnect between the board and the actual needs of the school at other times but never so much as now. Thank you for your attention.
I agree with this assessment. Even after Mr. Coulson's... stepping down as chair of the trustees, he has maintained the position he is in charge. Demonstrated by calling the finance office the morning after, what was thought to be a final conference call to prepare a presentational budget, with demands for changes to what had been agreed on. In the opinion of the finance manager, the proposed goals changes are unreachable, under his current proposed staffing of the Fundraising and Development department.
For clarification Ann, Mr. Coulson was not only accused of a crime, he was found guilty by a Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge.
MAKE BMS NOT TOXIC AGAIN!!!!!
JUST GET HIM OUT PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
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Toxic and predatory behavior has no place in our society, much less in an educational institution focused on children. It reflects extremely poorly on the school and its board that someone who has behaved in such a way has been retained in a leadership role--chairing the board or serving on the board in any capacity. Why would you allow this? No amount of money and influence, if this is indeed the reason, is worth the stain this brings upon the institution of BMS. As an educator and BMS parent, I'm appalled.