WOODLAND – Members of the Woodland School District Board of Directors issued a statement of support for Superintendent Michael Green at their meeting Feb. 9.
The five members of the school board collectively drafted a statement and all signed the document, with the exception of Jeremy Stuart, who was not in attendance at the meeting.
“Over the last year, our school district has experienced an unprecedented amount of turmoil involving some of our administrators, teachers and staff,’’ the board members said in the statement. “We have watched as our district has been PORTRAYED in both local and national media outlets as being poorly managed and, at times, even out of control.
“This is simply not acceptable and does not represent Woodland in any way,’’ the statement continued. “As of late, our Superintendent has even come under a web of scrutiny, with a number of Woodland citizens requesting that he be removed.’’
In December, two teachers at Woodland Middle School were placed on leave due to “misrepresentation of falsification in the course of professional practice.’’ Those teachers, Cheryl Nesbitt and Holly Royle, will get hearings later this spring as they seek reinstatement and they will remain on paid status until then.
Joe Michaud, a counselor at Woodland Middle School, was put on leave on Jan. 5. His future status with the district has not yet been determined.
Separate online petitions were opened in recent weeks seeking to have Green and Woodland Middle School Principal Cari Thomson removed from their positions.
Roy Maier, the Woodland teachers’ union representative, has been outspoken in his criticism of Thomson and Green. Thomson is currently on leave from her position.
“As your board of elected officials, we acknowledge that immediate change is needed and will be working over the next several months to improve internal processes, internal and external communications and school board operations, re-align goals and establish better methods for teachers and staff to voice concerns when problems arise,’’ read the statement from the board members.
“We fully support Michael Green, and know that he will work with the board, staff and community to oversee these critical improvements as he continues to serve as our Superintendent of Schools,’’ the statement read. “We believe him to be a man of integrity, with exceptional work ethic and strong leadership who works tirelessly for this community. We acknowledge that he, nor is anyone, perfect, and request that you hold your judgements and watch for positive changes in the months ahead.’’
Janice Watts, president of the Woodland Board of Directors, responded in an email to The Reflector’s request for further comment.
“We are looking forward to working together with Michael, making some positive changes for the improvement of our schools,’’ Watts wrote.
Green expressed his appreciation for the board’s actions.
“I am appreciative of the supportive statement that the board presented and approved on Monday evening,’’ Green said in an email response to The Reflector. “Just as any large organization there are areas we can grow and improve. The board and I believe and are committed to working together to improve the climate in all of our schools and the district as a whole so that we can even more effectively serve the children of these communities.’’
In April 2014, Woodland Primary School Principal Mark Houk was arrested on suspicion of three counts of fourth-degree assault for allegedly using excessive force to restrain a 9-year-old special-needs student on three occasions in the 2013-14 school year.
Houk later agreed to a diversion agreement allowing him to avoid prosecution. He was put on leave and is no longer with the district.
