CWCNY letter EXHIBIT E Cwch Parent Letter

7/30/2019 CWCNY letter EXHIBIT E Cwch Parent Letter

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E. CWCH PARENT LETTER

Sent: Fri, May 3, 2013 3:02:39 PMSubject: CWC Board Composition and Governance - Adjustment RequestTo: Josh McLaughlin, Derrick Chau, Craig Tessler, Yvette King-Berg, Gene Straub,

Heather McManusDear Board Members,

Last year's change in our school's structure to being part of a network has

fundamentally altered Citizens of the World.The new reality is being defined such as in upcoming agreements, such as the

'Licensing Agreement.

This is an important time for the school and a pivotal one for the Local Level. What

once was a small association of close-knit parents, teachers, administrators andstudents is now part of a larger group belonging to different schools with more to

follow.It is the very nature of this growth that necessitates a fundamental review of the

school's governance.

Specifically, it begs for an adjustment of the board's bylaws in terms of composition

and governance with an eye to increasing the commitment to the local level. Here iswhy:

The division between local, regional and national was not anticipated in this form

when the original bylaws were formed. While it was always clear there were largerambitions for CWC, their exact nature was not. Until last year, different models ofexpansion were considered.As it stands now, Local is neither on equal footing with National, nor does it have any

path to voice grievances, changes, suggestions, etc.

The National network does not need to listen to local. The result is uncertainty and asimmering anger among parents and teachers that has revealed itself on variouspast occasions. This is unproductive and untenable.

As it currently stands, the local level has no direct contact with the National network.

The proposed 'Liaison' position in the agreement circumvents the local level in favorof dealing directly with the board. There is no newsletter from National and no

mutual discussion of policy or direction. National deals with Regional and Local mustfollow. Some suggest that a 'principal's council' could help (and possibly it might) but

that wouldn't address the fundamental sense of powerlessness the local communityhas been voicing at the school.

The board should suggest to Network that the Liaison also enters a direct, regularrelationship with the Local schools. This would be in addition to the Executive

Director's duties. A 'guiding vision from above' would be greatly appreciated by theLocal Level.


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Recently, there has been movement to form an association a la PTA or Booster club.Such a body would source, control and administer funds derived from fundraising

efforts and safeguard them from conflicting intentions. While I understand andsupport such an organization, I also see its limitations. For one, it is reactive. The

local level would still be forced to deal with the cards handed to it by the regionalboard.It's better to address concerns proactively.

A Board is not a PTA. It shouldn't be. A Board needs to be independent and

protected from the unpredictable flights of parents who can often lose sight of the

long-term interests. It's not a town hall meeting. It doesn't necessarily need moreparents, but it needs legitimacy. If the board does not change, it will become acontroversial lynchpin between National and Local rather than fulfilling its principal

purpose, which is that of oversight and general support when needed. Here is howthe board can rectify this position:

The Regional Board needs to be elected by the Local Level.

Continuing down the current path is a recipe for decline, disgruntlement and possiblyeven unrest among the school's local community. It doesn't befit an organization of

this size. It is simply not fair. It is also not in the spirit of the Charter and hardly the

intent of the National Network. A regional board that is supported by the local level isa good thing. It legitimizes the Board's decisions and defuses controversy.

It is a necessity for the continued success of the school.

To be very clear, our current board seems to acknowledge many of these issues. It

has absolutely shown great concern for the Local Level.Now it needs to safeguard and formalize this relationship with an eye to the future.

Board members can change and while we are lucky to have people like yourselves, itis not a given. I would vote for every one of you without hesitation - if only I couldvote.

That is wrong for CWC Local in its new form.

Elections should be a moment to strengthen the board and consequently theinterplay between National and Local. A board that truly represents the local levelwould help turn the National/Local level back into one that is mutual and positive, as

we want it to be.

I believe that National can (and should) have the right to appoint or remove

members, e.g. in cases of negligence, conflicts of interest or if they simply don't dotheir job well. National should also, along with Local, have the ability to suggest

members. After all, they picked you, and they have access to great candidates. Yet,

it should be the local level (including teachers and admin, in addition to parents, inmy opinion) that puts their support behind these candidates by vote. By making this,

say, a biennial affair, it would keep costs low and allow board members theindependence they require.


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The experience with the Licensing Agreement has been far more arduous than itshould have been.

It would never have been a problem if parents didn't feel as disenfranchised as theydo.

Key here is the lack of connection to our board. Parents feel unrepresented.Adjusting the rules of governance will help put the local/National relationship back onthe positive path where it belongs. National wants a successful, positive relationship

with the Local Level. It also wants the Local Level to be independent and self-governing. This is the way to do it.

If the Regional board represented the Local Level, the discourse could once againbecome constructive and productive.

We could be proud of our school the way we want to and feel comfortable and

supportive of our board's choices, even if we didn't always 'get what we want.'

Changing this is the single most instrumental - and simple- move to make parents

feel a connection to their school again.

As we have grown, these problems have presented themselves. They are likely to

become more prevalent as more schools are formed.Now is the time to address them bravely and head-on. Our inability to adjust has

already resulted in parents leaving the school while others are withholdingfundraising and even others are losing their wish to volunteer. Worst of all, the news

of our disgruntlement has spilled over to our sister schools in Mar Vista and

Silverlake. It's even become a topic beyond the walls of CWC.

This serves nobody, least of all our school.

The concerns of governance and composition go way beyond cosmetics or superficial

concerns of publicity. As parents, we believe in this school and what it stands for. Wedon't want to abandon it in times of trouble. We want to make it better. We want aproductive successful relationship with all levels of the school. We want to support

our National organization in a symbiotic, productive manner.

It is up to you to allow us that privilege.

I hereby kindly and respectfully ask that you adjust your bylaws in reflection of thenew landscape.

Sincerely,CWC Hollywood parent

BCC'd (to avoid an email deluge):Jana ReedKrupa DesaiAmy Held


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Marissa BermanThe CWC Hollywood Parent Community (as represented by about 30 Parents who

have been a regular part of this conversation or expressed interest in it)Select MarVista parents (based on the ones I met at a recent Kate Anderson meeting

who expressed interest)

This is an open letter. Recipients may feel free to distribute further.

Documents

CWCNY letter EXHIBIT E Cwch Parent Letter