George,

The Daily Progress was incorrect in it article on Saturday, May 7, 2005, when it inferred that Dede Smith pushed for the Board to hire Ray and Associates again. She was laying out options for the search process. VSBA (Virginia School Board Association) suggested we move quickly to take advantage of available candidates, who may not be available in January 2006 when, by state law, we must have a superintendent. Dede explained two ways to accomplish this objective -- use VSBA or rehire Ray and Associates, who are obligated by their contact to conduct a search without charging a fee, a fact the public should know. The consensus of the Board was not to use them. We decided to explore two tracks - using VSBA and preparing an RFP for another search firm. We did not vote, we had consensus.

Prior to Thursday night's Board meeting, we did NOT hold an open or closed session to discuss VSBA's proposal for a superintendent search, as suggested by Art Lichtenberger in his email to you. We were individually given their proposal only a few hours before the meeting. I was surprised by VSBA's comments in the Progress. Are they not willing to let us consider and discuss their proposal? Is it take it or leave it?

I know the Board needs to rebuild trust and bring pride back to our school system. The Board and the community can do this together. How can we do this? We need to concentrate on things we can change. We can encourage new people, who have the experience, dedication and willingness to consider both sides of an issue, to apply to the School Board. We can support our principals and teachers by volunteering in the schools. We can help this administration start the strategic planning process. We can try to minimize the negative publicity this system is receiving.

I am speaking only for myself and not the entire Board, although I know the full Board is eager to concentrate on the education of our children. A year ago we were the same Board, with different perspectives and experiences, but together we worked effectively as a team to resolve issues and move forward. We can do it again.

Thanks.

Peggy Van Yahres (electronic mail, May 8, 2005)

Editor's Note: On May 8, 2005, The Daily Progress ran the following correction:

Frank Barham, executive director of the Virginia School Boards Association, said the VSBA normally charges school districts for help in superintendent searches but did make a single exception for Charlottesville with an offer that was not accepted by the School Board last week. The statement that VSBA does not ordinarily charge local school divisions for such help was in error in a story Saturday. Chairwoman Dede Smith said she was laying out various options for the board and did not push the option of using the search firm Ray & Associates but did favor the VSBA's offer.

I subsequently suggested to Peggy that the question of whether a vote was initially sought or about what Dede Smith did or did not say might be clarified if the school board would release a transcript of the tape made at the time, adding that her letter does not address the bulk of Art's concerns about rushing toward an immediate replacement or the issue of why the school board turned down VSBA's offer last week.

Peggy Van Yahres' response follows [speaking only for herself and not the full Board]:

George,

We do not vote during information items, although we can reach consensus so that we can explore an issue -- the superintendent search was only that -- information and discussion.

VSBA really thinks we will miss an opportunity to get a good candidate right now. They encouraged us to rush. I am willing to do a more deliberate process. I hope I'm right. Dede wanted to follow their advice. Both legitimate opinions.

We did not turn down VSBA's offer; apparently they turned us down. Many of us were not satisfied with their original offer, but wanted to continue discussions with them. I guess they were unwilling to make any changes to their proposal.

Peggy Van Yahres (electronic mail, May 8, 2005)