Thursday, August 13, 2009

MUST READ: first board member response...we are getting somewhere!

Parents, Home Owners and concerned residents of Lake Forest,

It's working! This evening, I received a forward from an Association member and grandparent of a student of Lakeview Learning Center. In this forward, Board President Jim Gardner responded to several of the points in her email and even stated "....the Board may reconsider its decision". I am thrilled to see forward momentum and dialog toward a resolution. Still, I personally have not received any word from the Board with answers to any of my questions. While out of context, allow me to quote Shakespeare, "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?"

I appreciate Mr. Gardner's response and desire to refute specific "claims". Mr. Gardner, we look forward to working on the details with you and the Board. I do wish that we had been provided the facts , clearly poor communication is to blame. You have to agree; with facts in hand "claims" become unnecessary.

______________________________________

From: drjgardnerTo: carol madigan cvaldes@pcminternet.com
Sent: 8/13/2009 6:04:42 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: Closure of Preschool

Hi,

I'm writing in response to your e-mail about the closure of the preschool.

You claim "The Lake Forest Association Board, in an emergency closed door meeting last Friday..." This is not true. In fact, the decision was made at the regularly scheduled executive committee meeting that is held the first Thursday of each month. The topic was on the agenda along with other topics.

You claim that nothing was mentioned about closing the preschool in the President's message in the August newsletter. That's true, because the issue did not come up when the message was written in mid July. The reasons for the Board voting to close the preschool emerged in the weeks between the message being written and the executive meeting on August 6th. I've asked Cynthia to lay out all these issues in a report she will send when it is completed.

You claim "While several teachers were provided enrollment targets several months back they were not permitted to share details of the ultimatum with parents for some unknown reason..." This is not true. There was never any ultimatum, and as far as I know, at least from the perspective of the Board, no one was told not to discuss the situation. Indeed, it was just the opposite. We asked everyone to do everything they could to reach a break even situation by enrolling 42 students.

You claim "The key point that was conveyed to him by staff is that the preschool is losing money each year. When pressed for an amount, several sources told him the deficit annually is $5,000! YES…$5,000." Of course I can't tell you what was said between your son-in-law and unnamed staff members, but I can assure you that the fact that the preschool loses money every year was not a "key" reason, although obviously it was a reason.

I've asked Cynthia to get her report out asap so that everyone can see all the factors that went into the decision. If all these issues can be resolved, the Board may reconsider its decision. But you have to remember that the Board has to consider the interests of the entire association, and not the interests of a few. We welcome your input into community affairs.

Jim

1 comment:

  1. I posted my letter to the board on the Lake Forest Community website... www.lfca1.com and Board President made a comment (the only comment so far). It was basically the same as the email response I received with a little refinement. The following is the last paragraph which has been changed from the original email.
    Carol Madigan
    Grandparent

    Jim Gardner's comment:
    I asked Cynthia to get her report out asap so that everyone can see all the factors that went into the decision. Unfortunately, with reviews needed by Board members, PCM HR department, etc. it won't happen until Monday. Once you read the report and see the issues, I think you'll understand what our decision was based on. If all these issues can be resolved, the Board may reconsider its decision. But you have to remember that the Board has to consider the interests of the entire association, and not the interests of a few. Having a preschool benefits less than 1% of our community, yet it takes up an enormous amount of time, energy, and money. We welcome your input and involvement into community affairs.
    Jim

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