I wanted to make you all aware of an email that a WSSB board member recently sent to one of our teachers. The tone and content were extremely unprofessional and frankly inappropriate, especially coming from someone in a leadership role. This is concerning. I am seeing an acceptable culture of bullying within management at WSSB and I will not tolerate a board member bullying.

In the message, copy/pasted below, the board member accused the teacher of trying to intimidate them based solely on eye contact during June’s board meeting. They also claimed the teacher’s behavior somehow supported an ongoing investigation(s). Just to set the record straight: the current investigation(s) is regarding WSSB management, not teachers. So that assumption was not only wrong, but unfair.

This kind of baseless accusation and the assumption that a teacher is involved, absent any evidence, is both irresponsible and illustrates the same toxic culture I’ve witnessed within WSSB that cannot be ignored.

WPEA is asking members to speak up against this! If you’d like to submit a complaint to the board, I’ve hyperlinked a letter you can use . Just click on the hyperlink in Scott McCallum’s name to open an email pre-addressed to Scott M. (WSSB), Janet Kurz (WSSB), Greg Szabo (Board Chair), Lily Clifton (Vice Chair), and Ambar Algera (Director of Boards and Commissions). You can view the letter I sent here .

I’ve also written a letter asking the Governor to remove Keri from the board. It’s with WPEA Union President Amanda Hacker for final review, and she’ll send it on our behalf soon.

I’ll be attending the September 25th board meeting in person to support Rebecka and help make sure this kind of behavior isn’t repeated. I hope you’ll consider joining us.

Below is the message from the board member, someone who’s supposed to be looking out for WSSB’s best interests:

At the board meeting on Friday, I couldn’t help but notice you staring at me for quite some time.

I was recently made aware of an investigation of WSSB staff creating an atmosphere of intimidation. And after spending that small amount of time with you, I can see there is merit to those investigations.

Please be aware that as a survivor of violence and trauma, there is literally nothing you can do that will intimidate me, as I’ve lived through much worse.

It’s possible you just thought I was pretty. But in case I’m reading the room correctly, I ask that you keep your eyes on the prize that is educating all the sweet kiddos at WSSB.

Thanks so much and have a great summer!

Respectfully,

Keri Clark

Board Member @ WSSB