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RPS’ exceptional education director resigns over School Board politics

Posted at 5:37 PM, Jun 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-22 17:55:16-04

RICHMOND, Va. – The Director of Exceptional Education at Richmond Public Schools announced her resignation and indicated that recent, unfavorable politics have influenced her decision.

Dr. Zenia Burnett, who has worked within the education profession for nearly 20 years, sent a letter to Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden explaining her decision, which she encouraged him to share with members of the School Board and Cabinet.

In the letter, obtained by CBS 6 reporter Chelsea Rarrick, Burnett noted that she “has never been unable to problem-solve and find solutions or not mediate and negotiate in the best interest of the student and the district.”

However, Burnett indicated that “it has been disheartening for me to observe the politics that occurs at the detriment of children and their families.”

Burnett’s department is responsible for collaborative partnerships with parents and educators to support the implementation of curriculums for special needs students.

Burnett’s letter indicated that her department’s work has been complicated by the interference of school board members on several high profile cases.  Specifically, she said the members have recruited parents for advocacy at Special Education Advisory Committee meetings and participation at Individualized Education Program meetings.

Though not named in the letter, sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the board members Burnett referenced are 9th District representative Tichi Pinkney Eppes and 5th District representative Mamie Taylor, and briefly,  Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District.

Burnett indicated that a school board member also encouraged a teacher to bypass her department personnel, in a move that defies school leadership.

An excerpt of her letter:

“This school year I’ve encountered to school board members confer with and recruit parents for efficacy in our Special Education Advisory Committee meetings and also participate in IEP meetings.

“For the past five weeks or more my departmental colleagues have responded to five or more high-profile cases including the participation of the school board members. This is a direct conflict of interest with the school board members role of governance when they insert themselves into the daily school and departmental operations.

There are several implications that could complicate matters for the district, should these cases, in which board members have been involved, elevate beyong the district level to Due Process.

Further, when a board member advises a parent and other personnel in the district differently than what has been expressed by district leadership, it is caused hours of redundant conversations, emails, meetings, etc., to attempt to clarify confusion, between staff, and executive leadership.

While I have not observed these board members to be rude or abrasive in tone or manner in my physical presence, exchanges by email in some instances have been somewhat questionable and exhausting in terms of professionalism which can easily be interpreted as bullying in the workplace, if not careful. Also while my staff is already been berated by other members of the IEP committee, I found it to be very unsupportive of the board member to make further comment, instead of being a catalyst leader and providing direct feedback within our organization.”

READ THE ENTIRE LETTER HERE.

CBS 6 reached out to the three representatives for comment and will update when they respond. Another news organization reported that Harris-Muhammed said her “advocacy was being misconstrued.”

Dr. Bedden issued a statement because of the “unique circumstances” of the situation, though his office emphasized that they do not typically report on personnel matters.

“We appreciate Dr. Burnett’s service and candor in the feedback provided to myself and district leadership. As superintendent, I shared this information with the school board during closed session, recognizing this as an opportunity for continuous improvement as the types of concerns that were raised present challenges in recruiting and retaining effective staff. We wish Dr. Burnett well and our focus will remain on ensuring that we provide a quality education for all students.”

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