Michael with Dr. Christy – Summer of 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

24 October 2015<\/p>\n

DELIVERED VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL<\/span><\/b>
\nMs. Kathleen Christy, Assistant Superintendent
\n\u2105 Department of Educational Equity Salt Lake City School District
\n440 East 100 South
\nSalt Lake City, Utah 84111<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Re:<\/span><\/b> Letter of Apology<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dear Dr. Christy,<\/p>\n

I am writing to apologize for the way that Superintendent McKell Withers treated you this past week when he announced the restructure of the superintendence\u2019s office. While I do not speak for the man, you should know that I do not support his current recommendation (see attached).<\/p>\n

Furthermore, in making the announcement this past Wednesday at the General Administrators Meeting (GAM), Mr. Withers acted outside of the bounds of his role. I was also told by those that were present that he stated words to the effect that he had not yet spoken to you but would get with you after the meeting to let you know \u201cwhere you fit in\u201d<\/i>. That is so sad and ignorant.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the authority to create and authorize new positions within the District rest with the Board of Education. The Board has not had the opportunity to sit in council and deliberate on this weighty matter. To that end, I have requested that this issue be placed on the Boards, November 3, 2015,<\/b> meeting agenda.<\/p>\n

Moreover, I object to the proposed appointment of an all WHITE District leadership within the Superintendent\u2019s Office. I object to the appointment of all WHITE principals at the District\u2019s five High Schools. Mr. Withers seems to ignore the fact that we are a MAJORITY, ethnic-minority school district! \u00a0By my count, I find 18 adults of Color, currently employed by the District that have the same level of education or higher, than the three recommended appointees to the superintendency.<\/p>\n

I find it significant, that all of the people of Color in my count, have or now serve as a Principal or Assistant Principal. In contrast, one of Mr. Wither\u2019s recommended appointments has never served as a principal, another of the proposed appointees has only served as a Principal of a Charter school. Is that really enough experience to supervise administrators that have spent years working in Title I Schools? In this proposed restructure, what justification does Mr. Withers give for placing an African American women with an Ed.D into a subordinate position to a Caucasian man with a Masters degree? These are questions people within and out of the District are asking and they deserve to receive answers.<\/p>\n

To date, my questions to the Mr. Withers have been met with scorn, disdain and accusations as though I am another one his employees of Color. As the representative voice of the people of West Salt Lake City, I have made my position clear on this matter. I have also consistently demonstrated, that ignoring and belittling me when I raise questions does not make the issue go away nor does it slow me down.<\/p>\n

I was recently, wisely counseled, the time for holding out the \u201cbegging bowl\u201d<\/i> is now past. To that end, I am in the process of filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. The basis of the complaint is that that the Superintendent\u2019s Disparate Treatment<\/b> of the ethnic minority administrators has a Disparate Impact<\/b> on the students of Color.<\/p>\n

In closing, I want to thank you for your professionalism, courage, and forthright example of dignity. I admire your ability to work within an organization that offers you so very little of the virtues you so richly demonstrate.
\nShalom,
\nJ. Michael Cl\u00e1ra
\nBoard Member, District 2<\/b><\/p>\n

Enclosure (1)<\/p>\n

cc:<\/b> Pastor France A. Davis – Vice Chair, Board of Regents
\nSenator Escamilla, Representative Romero, Representative Hollins, \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck
\nEquity Leadership Team, SLCSD & SLSA
\nCMAC, USOE & U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
\nIMAGE de NU, La RAZA of Utah, LULAC, NAACP, National Tongan American Society, Proyecto Latino \u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/b>Current Administrators of Color in the SLCSD <\/span><\/b>\u2013 <\/span><\/b>List Compiled by Michael Cl\u00e1ra<\/span> <\/b>
\nLinda Barth [Hispanic<\/i>] \u2013Assistant Principal, Bryant Middle School
\nFrances Battle [African American<\/i>]\u2014Principal, Nibley Park Elementary
\nSandra Buendia, Ed.D\u00a0 [Hispanic<\/i>]\u2014Assistant Principal, East High School<\/b>
\nDavid Chavez [Hispanic<\/i>]\u2014Assistant Principal, Horizonte
\nDahlia Cordova [Hispanic<\/i>]\u2014Principal, Bennion Elementary School
\nKathleen Christy, Ed.D [African American<\/i>]–Equity\/Advocacy Director<\/b>
\nPaula Espinoza-Wells [Hispanic<\/i>]\u2014 Assistant Principal, Escalante Elementary School
\nJenny Mayer-Glenn [Hispanic<\/i>]\u2014Assistant Principal, Mountain View Elementary School
\nLiz Gonzalez [Hispanic<\/i>] \u2014Principal, Escalante Elementary School
\nJoyce Gray [African American<\/i>] \u2013 Principal, Riley Elementary
\nBetty Jimenez [Hispanic<\/i>] \u2013District Equity\/Advocacy, ALS Coordinator
\nBobbie Kirby Ed.D [African American<\/i>]\u2014Principal, Ensign Electuary School<\/b>
\nHaloti Liava’a [Pacific Islander<\/i>]\u2014Assistant Principal, Horizonte Alternative High School
\nRae Louie [Asian American<\/i>]\u2014Principal, Beacon Heights Elementary School
\nClaustina Mahon-Reynolds Ph.D candidate [African American<\/i>]\u2014Assistant Principal, Northwest Middle School<\/b>
\nLamar Spotted Elk [American Indian<\/i>]\u2014Assistant Principal,\u00a0 Jackson Elementary School
\nMele Taukei’aho Ph.D [Pacific Islander<\/i>]\u2014Assistant Principal, West High School<\/b>
\nJames Yapias [Hispanic<\/i>]\u2014Principal, Bryant Middle School<\/p>\n