Academy board accepts president's resignation

Thu, May 15, 2008    to del.icio.us

FERRYSBURG — The West Michigan Academy of Arts & Academics Board of Directors unanimously accepted the resignation of board President Andrew Catlin during a special meeting Wednesday night.

Vice President Judy Bregman called the board's acceptance "a formality," since Grand Valley State University had already received a signed letter from Catlin and accepted his resignation.

The Ferrysburg academy is authorized by the GVSU Charter Schools Office.

There was no discussion by board members concerning acceptance of Catlin's resignation.

Catlin announced his immediate resignation in an e-mailed a letter May 5, citing "sharp and irreconcilable differences between (his) views on the WMAAA Board's role, responsibilities and relationship to its community of stakeholders, and those views of the other board members who have expressed opinions in these areas."

"This has created a division which is not in the best interest of the school or its stakeholders going forward," Catlin added. "I believe strongly in the mission of the school, and the importance of this mission to the families ... (and) wish the board the best success in serving this mission going forward."

In an e-mail to the Tribune, Bregman called Catlin a "disgruntled board member."

Catlin's resignation came less than two weeks after a heated board meeting, during which parents and staff expressed discontent toward the board and academy Director Floyd Strandberg over a land purchase offer, and pressed for Strandberg's termination.

Strandberg has since announced his resignation. The board is expected to decide whether or not to accept Strandberg's resignation during its May 27 regular meeting.