Staff unions say La Conner school superintendent threatened lawsuit

Suzann Keith dropped a bombshell at the Sunday fundraising celebrating Georgia Johnson [see “Johnson,” below]: Superintendent Whitney Meissner made threats “if the school board severed her contract, she would sue for $800,000,” the value of her three year contract. The La Conner English teacher and her union’s communications specialist was summarizing an Aug. 5 meeting to the attendees, the most recent exchange in the summer’s communications and meetings with the superintendent and the school board.

The La Conner Education and Public School Employees union leadership reported this discussion to school board members in a six page letter sent last Friday. During a two hour meeting Aug. 5 with Meissner and outside facilitator J.Marie Riche, they noted Meissner “defiantly declared that it could cost the district $800,000 if they were to sever their relationship with her.”

They claimed they were warned “that we needed to seriously consider the moral and financial cost to our district and community if the unions were to continue to ask for Dr. Meissner’s removal.”

Sunday Keith said union representatives told Meissner “everything” and that the meeting was “one of the most uncomfortable professional meetings she ever had.” She also found it confusing, hearing Meissner call first for working together then threaten to damage the district.

Tuesday, Keith provided details from her meeting notes in an email. Keith wrote: “Whitney said: ‘I’m not the kind of person who wants to sue the school, but...’ and then she never really finished her sentence but it was clear that she was leaving that possibility open and that she would definitely consider it if we kept pursuing her termination.”

School staff alluded to this threat in their August 21 statement in the Weekly News.

Superintendent Meissner and the hired professional facilitator have a very different view of the meeting.

Meissner remembered being asked a specific question at the meeting: would she resign by the end of the school year?

“It was proposed by an LEA member that if I were willing to resign effective the end of the year, this could all be settled. Meissner wrote in an email Tuesday. She added, “I shared that I have a responsibility to advocate for the best interests of the school district and also to advocate for myself. When I shared that the value of my contract could be close to $800,000, it was in the context that it’s not in the best interest of the district to enter into a settlement, but rather, let’s try to work through this together.”

Meissner ended her email, “At one point, an LEA member commented herself that the cost of a buy-out would be $800,000. I interrupted her to say that no, that is the value of my contract, but that I am not asking for a buyout, nor would I.”

J.Marie Riche, a facilitator hired to guide this and other meetings, did not find Meissner to be defiant. Tuesday she defined the tone and interactions at the Aug. 5 meeting:

“That meeting was reserved but it was respectful. People were in a spirit of listening. It was a hard meeting. People were taking a risk. It was a hard thing for everyone. I have no recollection of anyone being aggressive.”

Riche ended the interview complimenting all parties for placing students first. “They all understand that the core issue is the kids. Once the adult issue is resolved they know the more important focus is the kids.” she said.

Her assessment: “Really good people are digging in to do that hard work. That is the important part.”

Riche works with WASA (Washington Association of School Administrators). The school district has contracted with her since July.

Keith ended her talk Sunday with the same wording as in the unions letter to the school board:

“The members of LEA and PSE will work professionally with Dr. Meissner for now and put our students first. Our students cannot wait while adults spend time, energy and resources attempting to heal the deep wounds to our colleagues and community caused by Dr. Meissner. However, do not mistake our professionalism for consent or contentment. You can expect us to continue to bring attention to our serious concerns on behalf of our staff, students, and community.”

The letter was signed by Alyse Sehlin and Lisa Thomas, LEA co-presidents; Katie Wigal, secretary and Keith. PSE president Randy Wills, Laraine Drye, vice president and Judy Rowell treasurer.

A Monday email to school board members and a question to Board President Janie Beasley Monday after the meeting were not responded to by Tuesday afternoon.