Alston-Kline
Veritas Update

April 17, 2008

Greetings,

For the benefit of those who were not able to attend the Alston-Kline presentation, and to underline a few things for those of us who were, we wanted to briefly discuss the importance of proceeding to next steps (however non-defined at this point), some of the initial questions raised at the meeting, and a few immediate steps (however small).

We acknowledge it was a full, and difficult, night. The widespread learning curve presented was not easy for any of us to grasp, yet it was clear that it has the potential to make each/all of us who choose to listen and act on what we heard to be better people and contributors to our district community’s best future. It was also humbling to observe Cathie and Rhonda's gracious yet forthright manner.

It would be anti-climactic to reiterate what they presented (but for those not there, Cathie and Rhonda followed the report and if you did not get a copy, please feel free to contact the district office via the Public Records Act process that has been set up). As far as the questions from the audience, some of them included:

- What are the next steps?

- How long will it take?

- What can be done right away to continue and improve communication

We hope (this email has been reviewed by, and had feedback from, the entire board) some of these broad brush-strokes of where we are, at this point, will provide some insight into those questions…

Stage 1 of the Veritas project is nearing completion. While AK has ended the fact finding and reporting stage, they are continuing to meet with the board for ongoing debriefing of five months of data.

Stage 2 of the Veritas project is an important step, and one that is about to begin. We will shortly begin to take the recommendations of AK - and any others that may arise - and prioritize, based on which ones to address, and when. This is regarding any number of issues that have come forward. Some of us in the district want to be there now. Cathie says no. It will take time, especially after five months of feedback and wide-ranging recommendations.

Stage 3 of the Veritas project, discussed from the beginning, is to turn towards a values formation and strategic planning stage. This must be purposeful, visionary, collaborative, and for the most part, on the tail end of Stage 2.

As for some next steps at this point:

- Based on AK’s earliest availability, the board will meet again tonight to continue the debriefing and to then move as quickly as possible to the prioritization stage.

- Larry Korthuis, our board president, said at the meeting the board will continue its emphasis on communication. (As far as "how," we will for now simply continue these periodic “lo-tech” emails from the board, prior to any comprehensive communications program that would be developed).

- As for Cathie's input on the district's website, there are a few things we can do right now. Without getting into micro-managing, it would make sense to encourage all web sites (district and buildings) to post the board's Veritas updates. This was inspired by Cathie's comments and Laura Creekman's offer for BVE to post them on its site. Until the website is addressed by the district more comprehensively, this is an easy stop-gap and a way to address the question at Monday's meeting about how parents can get information.

In closing, we are keenly aware of the transfer request deadline that we had already extended to accommodate the process timeline. Perhaps a comment shared yesterday will be of help. This person is not a district employee, but one who dearly loves the work of the district. He said he is encouraging employees, prior to when decisions will be made by the board, to make their decisions based on their own judgments of how things are going on a day to day basis.

It is indeed our heartfelt desire for folks to stay the course – as we are staying the course – through a broad-based, challenging, and lengthy pathway.

Thanks to all who attended Monday’s meeting, asked for the report, and otherwise are involved at this time.

Steve Hortegas

AK/Board/Veritas liaison