We are writing to let you know how Chadwick School is doing. A letter to the board of directors, dated February 11th, has been signed by 82 faculty members expressing their lack of confidence in Dal Sohi, our present head of school.
This step has not been taken lightly. Teachers have taken this action because they were left with no other choice. Teachers have made the decision that the outcome justifies the risk, despite the possibility that they are endangering their lives, careers, and financial security.
We are bringing these concerns to your attention at this time since we have tried and failed to resolve them with the Head of School and the current school structures. The only reason we’re writing to you right now is that we believe they’ve run out of other options.
We want Chadwick School to be a place where fairness, honesty, respect, accountability, and compassion are the guiding principles. Chadwick Faculty is requesting a vote of no confidence because they don’t think the present Head of School can lead in a way that upholds these principles.
The faculty at Chadwick is aware that they haven’t always been correct. They have seen the bipocatchadwick and dearchadwick testimonies; the information found within is startling and ought never to have occurred. To make Chadwick a more welcoming and safe community, we still have work to do.
Faculty, however, is not able to fight two wars at once. They cannot devote all of their time and resources to defending their livelihoods, our community, and themselves while simultaneously critically examining their methods of instruction to improve Chadwick.
At this time, Chadwick faculty members have expressed numerous worries to their head of school over the following subjects:
Unethical hiring and firing practices for academic and staff members who identify as non-male, POC, or LGBTQ+
Failing to fill critical vacancies, which results in the position being eliminated
Fear and anxiety were caused by general threats that “faculty positions would be eliminated” without providing a timeframe or details on how or when that would be announced.
Complete reorganization of Chadwick’s leadership hierarchy, removing existing leaders from powerful roles and installing new ones without sufficient data to guide the decision. Consequently, the elimination of distinctive programming will have a significant effect on a student’s Chadwick experience.
Previous decision-making that, despite having a significant impact on faculty members’ daily practices, did not consult with or solicit opinions from faculty members or faculty leaders
Remarks made to faculty members that were disparaging, calling them and their methods “placeholders,” “not welcoming,” and “unproductive.”
The administration’s decision to cut off faculty-administration contact by advising staff not to bother the head of school with issues and claiming that using chat and email during Zoom meetings is “not respectful of everyone’s time.”
Misogynistic behavior toward female employees who express ideas or concerns in public and privately while responding differently toward male employees
Alumni who spoke out about Chadwick’s silence on Black Lives Matter and the accompanying Change.org petition were treated dismissively.
The difference between the LA County School Reopening Guidelines—which only apply to students with exceptional needs—and Chadwick’s strategy, which reinstates every student
There’s more to say, but this is what’s starting to emerge as faculty members have realized in recent weeks:
Our current leader doesn’t think highly of the professors.
He regards their voice as worthless.
He has no regard for their needs.
He has no regard for their knowledge.
He doesn’t respect their desire for a secure place of employment.
He also has no regard for our community.
At the very least, Chadwick School’s leader ought to set an example for the school by modeling the key principles the school upholds, even though there is still much work to be done in this regard.
The head of school has acknowledged that he has made some mistakes, but he has not grown from them and keeps making decisions and acting in ways that directly lower faculty morale. He is adamant that he prefers to go forward and not look back, leaving faculty members behind as important decision-makers. The end effect is a poisonous environment full of uncertainty and anxiety.
In many ways, this year has been difficult for each of us. However, faculty members are in no doubt that this year has been the most challenging they have ever had to teach, to the point where some are unsure if they even want to stay in the teaching profession or continue teaching at Chadwick School.
Please consider signing this petition if a Chadwick faculty member has ever had a beneficial influence on you. It will demonstrate that teachers’ opinions count, that their workplaces should be secure, and that their actions have changed someone’s life.
We are grateful for your help.
Regards,
Concerned Former Students Now Assisting the Chadwick School
Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!
Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.