School leaders discuss dissension, mascot with community

Some 20 people accepted the La Conner School District’s invitation to informally gather for a coffee chat to find out “what’s happening” in the district last Thursday, Jan. 23. School Board Chair Susie Deyo and Superintendent Dr. Whitney Meissner co-hosted the evening conversation in the middle school library. Newly elected board members John Agen and Marlys Baker joined them.

The topics drawing the most animated conversation were “the dissension that sprung up between the two unions and the superintendent,” asked by an elder, and the look of the schools’ Braves mascot.

“Not everything has been resolved,” Meissner responded, referring to the teachers and staff unions June votes of no confidence in her submitted to the School Board; the unions calling for her termination in July; and the overflow attendance last spring at several board meetings over the decision not to renew Food Services Director Georgia Johnson’s annual contract.

Meissner said there had been “some ugliness, conflict and division,” and reported conversations in monthly meetings with the union leadership have been cordial, good and productive. She called the lines of communication very open. Her goal is to have “a meaningful conversation with every employee” by the end of the school year

She said she took responsibility for her mistakes and saw this as an opportunity for her to grow.

Baker said “I really think our job as the Board is to support Whitney. There are goals we have set for her. (We’re here to) help her reach those goals.”

Deyo supported Meissner’s meeting with the unions as part of the superintendent’s job. “Our job is to set policy, hire the superintendent and check finances,” she told the group.

Meissner wrapped up the discussion saying specific personnel matters could not be considered in public. She then referenced a facilitator’s four step framework for school relationships as “forming, storming, norming and performing.” She said the “kids say they are ready to move into norming and performing.”

Much of the discussion around the table emphasized supporting students and bringing out the best in them.

Parents Wayne and Nina Hill asked about the schools’ mascot, saying booster club members have a lot of questions. Meissner responded that Board Student Representatives Yareli Lopez and Domenic Wilbur have been assigned the project.

Meissner made the distinction between a logo, the LC in the circle, and a mascot, an image for the sports teams, the Braves. She said the Swinomish Tribal Senate approves of the name “Braves” but they don’t want a human mascot.

Wayne Hill reported his classmates have “strong feelings about logos in the 1980s and 1990s and back in the ‘60s. Why did it change?”

Kevin Paul, an alumni and Swinomish Senate member, said Swinomish school alumni “really respected it and were honored to wear it.”

Deyo, a member of the alumni association, agreed that there is a lot of passion for the La Conner Braves. Rachel Sobczak, a parent of a third grader, suggested the decision should be up to the younger generation.

Deyo had the last word on the topic, suggesting instead of saying mascot the issue is about the logo.

Rick Dole raised the topic of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of La Conner reaching an agreement with the School District to share security costs so uniformed officers were in the schools. All parties are interested, Meissner said, but the September start of their fiscal year made initial coordination difficult.

Paul asked about involving the Swinomish police department. Meissner said the county sheriff has jurisdiction.

The meeting was called after 75 minutes.

The next meeting is 7 a.m. Feb. 7 at Otter Coffee on First Street. Meetings are scheduled through June at different locations. The school district website has information.