Charter academy director resigns
Sat, May 10, 2008
BY CHRIS EPPLETTFERRYSBURG — In an e-mail to staff and board members dated Friday morning, West Michigan Academy of Arts & Academics Director Floyd Strandberg announced his resignation.
"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 declined to comment on his resignation.
It comes four days after the academy board president, Andy Catlin, also announced his resignation.
Discontent among staff, administration, parents and board members over the school's offer to buy the former Ferrysburg Elementary School has led to the controversy at the public charter academy.
"We all knew that there was tension — although as far as I'm concerned, Floyd did positive things, too," said John Hair, a member of the school's board of directors. "(Strandberg's decision to resign) put the school first — a very unique and fine school."
Hair said Strandberg's resignation becomes official if the board decides to accept it, adding that a public meeting will take place in the future. The board will then vote on an
interim director before beginning a search process, Hair said, adding that a management company will likely help the academy in its search process.
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.
Carla Stevens, a parent of a third-grade student at the school, said Strandberg will be missed by many students and parents.
"We really have enjoyed him since he's been with our school," Stevens said. "Many of us do have respect for Dr. Strandberg and we wish him the best."
Janet Taylor, a parent of a WMAAA student and a member of the school's Strategic Planning Committee, agreed.
"I think, at his heart, he is doing what is best for the school," Taylor said of Strandberg's decision to resign.
Both Stevens and Taylor said they did not completely agree with how Strandberg and the board informed parents and staff about a $1 million cash offer in mid-April for the former Ferrysburg Elementary School property.
According to the charter school's proposal, the site — currently owned by the city of Ferrysburg — 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.
Ferrysburg City Council has not made a decision on the academy's offer.
Despite what may have constituted an administrative mistake, Strandberg was good with the students, Taylor said.
"I don't think anyone ever questioned his relationship with the children," Taylor said. "I think everyone knew he truly loved working with the kids."
Stevens said Strandberg instituted some positive attitude changes during his two-year tenure as director. Previous bullying problems were addressed under Strandberg, according to Stevens.
"Dr. Strandberg runs a much tighter ship at the school," she said.
Stevens said an online petition for Strandberg's immediate termination, started by Brigit Lewis, the wife of former WMAAA director David Lewis, was "distasteful."
According to the online petition created by Lewis, dated April 21, Strandberg's "actions have placed the academy in financial jeopardy, overtly threatened staff retention, misled or withheld information from the board and administrative team, and risked the loss of student attendance through the lost credibility of the parents and the general public."
The petition also gives objections to making the offer for the former elementary school and property, including depletion of the charter school's cash reserve and potentially using a loan to pay teachers' salaries for the 2008-09 school year.
"I don't completely agree with how they wrote the petition," Stevens said. "People make mistakes. It's kind of disheartening, especially since I had a lot of respect for the Lewis family. We're disappointed with how the Lewis family has handled this."
Stevens added that the petition showed "thoughtlessness toward Strandberg's family."
Despite the problems, Hair said WMAAA is still "a fantastic school with dedicated parents and staff."
Taylor said the controversy should serve as a reminder for parents to stay involved in their children's education.
"The rebuilding process is probably even more important now," she said. "People need to realize their input is so important."
On the Net:
www.petitionspot.com/petitions/WMAAA