Forcing Kate's Hand

January 18, 2010
Dear Joanna,
I am writing to resign my post as Principal of Civicorps Elementary School as of June 30, 2010. I am resigning for multiple reasons, but chief amongst them is my fundamental belief that the school cannot prosper within the current organizational framework of Civicorps Schools. My experience over the last two and a half years leads me to believe that the Board lacks the collective will to address the underlying issues that pose significant challenges to our organizational success. Without sweeping changes in the areas of leadership practice and financial management, I believe that the entire organization, and therefore the school, is at best in a holding pattern of serial failure.

In the interim, I intend to advocate for the school community’s interests, especially in the case where the organization’s direction and the school’s true needs are at odds. To this end, I believe that the following actions are necessary immediately:

*Appointment of three qualified parent representatives to the Civicorps Board
*Public and proactive disclosure of the organization’s financial status-status of renewal of credit line, debts, overhead allocation percentage and recent resignation of CFO
*Development of a collaborative process for hiring the incoming principal that seeks meaningful input from key stakeholders and allows for participation in the decision-making process
*Transparency and accountability in the evaluation of the organization’s executive director by the Board
*Revision of leadership structure to ensure alignment of qualifications and functions at all levels within the organization (i.e staff have the requisite knowledge and skills to carry out their jobs with success and are appropriately supervised)

Lastly, while this may come as a shock to you, it was I who filed the grievance last April alleging a dysfunctional work environment. Out of a sense of commitment to the school community and exhaustion of less formal options, I felt that it was critical to follow the established channels of communication to effect change. I do not feel that the issues I raised then have been adequately resolved, and for this reason too, I am choosing to leave this organization. I feel that the excessive stress and tension generated within Civicorps is not conducive to supporting the achievement of my professional or personal goals, nor the development of a healthy school community.

Thank you for the opportunity to work at Civicorps. I have always admired and appreciated the strength of your vision and desire nothing less than an organizational structure that is up to the task of bearing it out.
Sincerely,


Kathryn Nicol

Bonjour de Paris!

Sorry sorry sorry. We meant to post. I swear. But you know, we had to do things like go to the Louvre, and sip cafes, and check out the bars. Christmas in Paris with Sass was excellent. We missed our far-flung family, but we did allright for ourselves out here. Hennessy even helped Jess and I find our new apartment, and as she can tell you, we found a good one in the 10th arrondisement, right next to Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord. Terrrifically easy to get to from the airport when everyone comes and visits. Bon Annee ma famille!