DO Staff - Follow-Up on Board Discussion and TIDE Academy(1 messages)

Dear DO staff,

I want all of you to be aware of a communication I sent to the staff of TIDE Academy, below, after tonight's board meeting. Following a Board Committee report on its review of enrollment, programs, and long-term fiscal considerations related to TIDE Academy, the Board directed me to develop a plan for how the District would discuss a possible closure of TIDE Academy. That plan is scheduled to be shared with the Board at a Board meeting on December 10. I encourage you to read the full text of the email below, which provides context and an explanation of next steps.

This will be difficult news for TIDE staff to hear and process, and I wanted you to hear it directly from me as you may interact with staff over the next few days. Please know that we are committed to communicating as openly and promptly as possible with all involved to ensure that accurate information is shared. I encourage you to reach out to me or to your supervisor if you have questions. If you receive any media inquiries about this, please direct them to Naomi Hunter.

As stated below, no one wants to close a school, and we understand the impact that even entering into this discussion will have on TIDE staff and the students and families they serve. Please join me in supporting our TIDE staff and families as we enter the challenging process of determining next steps.

Sincerely,

Crystal Leach
Superintendent

Dear TIDE Academy Staff,

I am writing to follow up on this evening's Board meeting and to invite you to a staff meeting tomorrow so that you can hear directly from me and ask questions.

At tonight's meeting on November 12, a Board Committee reported on its review of enrollment, programs, and long-term fiscal considerations related to TIDE Academy. Following that report, the Board directed me to develop a plan for how the District would discuss a possible closure of TIDE Academy. That plan is scheduled to be shared with the Board at a Board meeting on December 10.

This recommendation did not emerge overnight. For several years, the District has been examining both its structural deficit and enrollment at TIDE Academy as part of a wider look at how we use resources and how we maintain strong educational programs for students across the District.

I want to emphasize a few key points:

• The Board did not vote to close TIDE Academy tonight.
• The action the Board took was to approve a direction to develop and present a clear process for discussion and community engagement -- it is not a final decision about the school's future.

Board members spoke about their responsibility to look at how we are using limited resources across the District. One of the concerns they raised is that, because TIDE is such a small school, continuing to operate it at its current size can, over time, result in fewer classes, electives, and program options for TIDE students than we can responsibly offer when resources are better aligned across the District. At the same time, we fully recognize that TIDE is a close-knit community and that even considering the possibility of closure is deeply upsetting.

I want to be clear that no one wants to close a school, and we understand the impact that even entering into this discussion has on you and on the students and families you serve. We do not take that impact lightly. You deserve clear information and an opportunity to ask questions and share your concerns.

To support that, I am inviting all TIDE Academy staff to a meeting.

TIDE Academy Staff Meeting with the Superintendent
Date: Thursday, November 13
Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Or

Date: Tuesday, November 18
Time: 2:45-3:45 p.m.

Location: TIDE Academy Cafeteria

At this meeting, I will:

• Recap the Board Committee's report.
• Explain what I have been directed to bring forward at the December 10 Board meeting.
• Share what we know now about the proposed process and timeline.
• Answer as many of your questions as I can, and identify where we will need to follow up with more information.

I strongly encourage you to attend if you are able. Your perspective as TIDE staff is critical to how we move forward and how we communicate with students and families in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, if you have immediate questions or need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to Principal Rick-Kennel or directly to my office.

Thank you for your continued dedication to TIDE students and for all that you do every day. I know this is difficult news to hear and process, and I am committed to communicating with you as openly and promptly as I can as the Board's discussions continue.

Sincerely,

Crystal