Two deceased Flint schools administrators blame school board for resignations

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FLINT, MI — Two of the top four administrators who left Flint Community Schools in the past three months cited difficulties with the school board as the reason for their resignation, according to resignation letters.

Each of the four directors who resigned from Superintendent Kevelin Jones’ management team departed within six weeks.

The district first lost its chief financial officer on April 7, then subsequently lost its executive director of human resources, assistant superintendent, and executive director of academics.

Diona Clingman, who served the district as executive director of academics, said the environment created by the school board weighed heavily on her as an employee, according to her resignation letter.

I tried to ignore the constant arguments, negative emails and inability to make decisions to move the district forward, Clingman wrote. However, it seems to continue to happen, which creates additional obstacles to the daily work that needs to happen. I pray that the constraints are lifted at the board table so that the remaining staff and scholars receive the resources and opportunities they deserve.

Former human resources manager Sharita Galloway shared similar sentiments about the school board in her resignation letter.

It has become apparent that whatever our greatest efforts and attempts, there is a lack of understanding and desire to improve the district on the part of the BOE, she wrote. … Unfortunately, I cannot continue to work two full-time jobs with more responsibilities than that and fearlessly lead others who are bound to do the same with constant interference and sabotage.

Former chief financial officer Latisha Wolf and former deputy superintendent Keiona Murphy both chose not to give reasons for their resignation letters. Murphy had been a member of the Flint Community Schools District for 22 years.

I will be forever grateful for the opportunities Flint Community Schools has provided me as both a student and an employee, Murphy wrote.

The district is currently being assisted by the Genesee Intermediate School District at Jones’ request.

Michigan State Superintendent Michael Rice wrote a letter to the district after the wave of resignations acknowledging district turnover rates.

The letter, which raised serious concerns, called for current school board members to undergo regular school board governance training to maintain their roles and responsibilities.

Amid a revolving door of administrators, the district ends another year without making crucial decisions on resizing the district that has lost two-thirds of its membership over the past decade.

The teachers’ union has called on the district to close buildings and reinstate measures in teacher contracts that will help with recruitment and retention.

These resignations should be of serious concern to the board. These jobs are tough and there is rarely a simple answer to anything. We are asking the board directly to support Superintendent Jones and the actions he and his team are proposing, especially the staffing recommendations, wrote Bruce Jordan, director of MEA UniServ, in a letter to the board on last month.

Board chairman Michael Clack said board infighting was what put him above deceased directors.

It’s unfortunate that these major resignations happened in such a short time, Clack said. … Looking ahead, we’re trying to stay positive and move the district forward.

Learn more about MLive:

Over the past decade, schools in Flint have lost 66% of their students

With no distribution plan, Flint school board votes to allocate $1.5 million for teacher payments

Buick City redevelopment, which will generate $300 million in local investment, paves the way

Clio Schools sells Lacure Elementary, all K-3 students will be in a new building

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