To the editor:
I applaud our community members who attended the March 28 school board meeting and spoke in support of our local principals. Board President Larry Seurynck was quoted as finding criticism “tough to take.” He spoke of his feelings for our community and his commitment to our district’s students. I commend him for those beliefs and share them.
Born in Dowagiac, I was employed by our district for 40 years before my 2010 retirement. Mr. Seurynck needs to know that I and others find some recent central administration/board actions “tough to take:”
1. The March 28 meeting was a “venting waiting to happen.” Confusion, frustration and anger are just some words that identify feelings about the status of our district as felt by district employees and community members. Our district principals are a good group.  As Pathfinders alternative/adult director, I worked with the principal group regularly and came to know and respect them. They are dedicated to this community and its students.
2. The process used to “non-renew” our principals’ contracts was unbecoming and exemplified the paltry level of communication that exists between central administration and groups within the district.
3. Administration waited too long to dismiss Hal Davis as assistant superintendent last year and, as a result, had to pay his 2011-12 salary, thus costing us approximately $100,000.
4. The district currently employs three central administrators. Two work from home on some days with one commuting from Fort Wayne — raises questions about the district getting  most “bang for our buck.”
5. There is a perception that the district is being run by Dr. Daniel and Mr. Seurynck without appropriate regard for the ideas of others.
6. Effective communication is key to organizational success but that isn’t the norm now with the district. Examples of reduced and ineffective communication — principals rarely meet as a group, central administrators are rarely in schools, reduced press coverage, reduced committee interaction. Additional example — Pathfinders graduations have offered refreshments following the ceremony; Larry Crandall and Peg Stowers always stayed and socialized with graduates/families. Last year Dr. Daniel didn’t bother, just left.
7. Pathfinders staffing has been reduced and last summer I emailed Dr. Daniel and volunteered to help as needed. I didn’t receive a reply. Other former district employees have made offers of help with no reply, either.
Dr. Daniel and Mr. Seurynck talk of closing schools and combining grade levels and now have announced the date of a bond vote. Unfortunately, they haven’t provided details of their proposal.
I have historically voted “yes” for every school funding issue; I want to vote “yes” this next time as well! But, I need information! I also need to know that our administration/board value our community, its students/families and its employees.
I encourage everyone to become involved and ask questions so we may make correct decisions as we move our district into the future.
Larry Schmidt