Dear members of the School Board and Superintendent Thompson;

We the undersigned teachers and staff of Friday Harbor Elementary School want to record our dissent to the recent action by the Board in accepting the resignation of Gary Pflueger, our Principal.

We object to the Board’s actions for two reasons:

Firstly, we object to the substance of your decision.

Gary has been a major and positive addition to our school. He has created a positive and nurturing environment in which our students feel welcome, loved, and secure. The environment Gary has created is both conducive and essential to learning.

Furthermore, at a time when our District is suffering budget difficulties, the Board is committing funds to hiring a new Principal.

Secondly, we object to the process by which your decision was made. On December 14, our representatives met with Superintendent Thompson. They were assured that no decision was imminent and that there would be opportunities for future discussions.

Unfortunately, a decision was imminent and no further discussions occurred. In addition, the decision was made without seeking input from our staff of professional educators. This decision conveys a disinterest and disrespect for our professional opinion.

Also, the decision was made without soliciting input from the parents in our community.

Many parents are vigorously opposed to your action.

Furthermore, the School Board and Superintendent have assured us that they will seek our input on hiring a new Principal. Yet at the same time these assurances were made, the Board and Superintendent released a job posting with specifications for a new Principal.

Once again, this was done without consultation with our school and community. In order for our School to fulfill its mission to education, it is absolutely essential that we have a cooperative and mutually respectful relationship with our Board and Superintendent.

We ask that you reconsider your decision to accept Gary’s resignation and that in the months to come, we work together on matters that come before the Board which materially affect our School.

Respectfully submitted,

Teachers of Friday Harbor Elementary School (25 of 27)

(Editor’s note: The above letter was read to the school board at its Jan. 26 meeting).