WEB EXCLUSIVE: WMAAA Director Floyd Strandberg announces resignation

Fri, May 9, 2008

(Updated 11:30 a.m.)

FERRYSBURG — In an e-mail to staff and board members dated today, West Michigan Academy of Arts & Academics Director Floyd Strandberg has announced his resignation, effective no later than June 30.

"Out of love for the students, respect for the staff, and devotion to the missions at WMAAA, I will be officially resigning my position," Strandberg wrote. "The official end date is to be determined, but it will be by June 30, 2008 or before. My prayers are with all of you."

Strandberg's resignation comes four days after Board of Director President Andy Catlin announced his resignation from the board.

Discontent among staff, administration, parents and board members over a land purchase offer has led to recent controversy at the public charter academy.

Catlin and Strandberg's resignations come two weeks after a heated board meeting, during which parents and staff expressed discontent toward the board and Strandberg, and pressed for Strandberg's termination.

Parent Brigit Lewis, the wife of former academy director David Lewis, had started an online petition for Strandberg's immediate termination, which had 31 signatures this morning.

"His actions have ... overtly threatened staff retention, (he) misled or withheld information from the Board and administrative team, and risked the loss of student attendance ...," the petition states.

According to unapproved April 22 board meeting minutes, several parents and staff members were displeased with news the charter academy made a $1 million cash offer purchase for the former Ferrysburg Elementary School property without the knowledge of parents, staff or all board members.

The city of Ferrysburg currently owns the property.

According to the charter school's proposal, the site would be used to expand existing operations at the academy's current site, 17350 Hazel St. The former Ferrysburg Elementary School, 17290 Roosevelt Road, would "house additional students and continue to expand and integrate the arts educational focus," the proposal states.

Lewis' petition says that during his two-year tenure as director, Strandberg "has displayed inappropriate and sabotage behavior that has destroyed trust and credibility with the staff, jeopardized the reputation of the school and its future as a quality educational institution and former Summit state awarding winning (sic) charter school."

The petition gives objections to making the offer for the former school and property, including depletion of a $1.15 million cash reserve by purchasing the former Ferrysburg Elementary School, and potentially using a loan to pay teachers salaries for the 2008-09 school year.

The city made no decision on the academy's offer during its April 21 council meeting, and has not convened since.

Read more on this story in Saturday's Tribune.

On the Net:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/WMAAA