TO: Design Thinking Academy Board of Directors: Paul Miller, John Pelesko,

Joseph LoPorto, Crystal Griggs, Evan Quietsch, Matthew Urban, Aileen

Murray



CC: Sindy Rodriguez, Design Thinking Academy Chief of Staff

FROM: Stephanie Silverman, Principal & Co-Head of School 


April 4th, 2019

Due to ongoing unresolved concerns which I have repeatedly expressed, I

resign from Design Thinking Academy effective immediately.

I exposed in writing to the Delaware Department of Education Charter School

Office Officials a serious deviation from financial management and accounting
standards implemented by state law, and since then I have been retaliated
against and subject to a hostile work environment. Due to the intolerable
working conditions and impact on my health, I feel I have no choice but to
resign.

I can no longer endure the emotional and physical distress caused by conditions
created and sustained by the Design Thinking Academy Board of Directors.
Despite my ongoing efforts to communicate matters of great significance, my
concerns have been dismissed, ignored or persisted unaddressed by the Design
Thinking Academy Board of Directors, causing adverse health effects to me
personally. The Board’s ongoing pattern of failure to intercede and fulfill their
primary obligation of duty of care has created serious personal distress and
impossible working conditions.

My decision to disregard the board’s directives and notify the Delaware

Department of Education and XQ Institute of my serious concerns about the
school’s management and operations, compliance, financial picture, and
specifically Board governance, in addition to my refusal to allow a board
member to continue to profit from the school resulted in board member
hostility, implied threats to my continued employment.

I am proud of my work at Design Thinking Academy and all of my efforts to

help advance the school and improve educational outcomes for the students. I
wish the school success.

Stephanie Silverman