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Cohn, Gary
From: Sent: To: Cc: Petersen, Edwin Thursday, September 01, 2011 10:35 PM Lance Biden Cohn, Gary

Subject: Resignation Dear Lance,!

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Thank you for the email you sent to the board expressing your opinion about the executive session publicized by The Daily Herald and other media. On Tuesday, August 23, Everett Public Schools Board of Directors recessed into a lawful executive session to conclude our annual evaluation of the superintendent. Evaluations of public employees are, by law, appropriately conducted in executive session.! Once in the executive session, Board Member Jessica Olson argued to change the meeting topic from the evaluation of our superintendent to a discussion of parameters for the evaluation an abrupt change in a process all five directors and the superintendent had agreed upon and started months earlier. Talking about the evaluation process within an executive session violated the purpose of the executive session. The remaining board members properly refused to participate in discussing this topic. Mrs. Olson began recording the meeting without permission of the other board members. I was certain then, and remain convinced, this recording broke the law.! Disagreement ensued, and two board members called 911. Every board member submitted a sworn statement about the disagreement, and those statements and the two police reports are available online. !

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On Thursday and Friday of the same week, the school board met again for two full days of previously scheduled workshop sessions to plan out the years work. During these sessions, we accomplished a great deal together. We also discussed Tuesdays disagreement and our need and intent to work together to conduct the business of the district on behalf of students, families and the public. You may view this nearly 30 minute discussion on the districts website.!

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Disagreements among people with different perspectives and views are not unusual. Disagreements among public officials, especially when heated, can become news reported in various versions in traditional and social media. Disagreements that deteriorate into scuffles are never acceptable.! As public officials, we have sworn to conduct our districts business in public, to uphold the democratic process and representative governance, to civility and public involvement in our work. These commitments include working through our differences in public, and acting in accordance with our Washington laws and our school board policies. Our differences have been uncomfortable for all of us. We understand that constituents have questions and feel bewilderment and frustration, even anger, at the various reports and very different versions of events. ! As the board president and a dedicated member of this board, I reaffirm my commitment to prevent individual differences from detracting from the successful operation of our schools, which are scheduled to open on September 7 after summer break. I am also committed to preventing individual differences detracting from the accomplishments of our staff and students, of our board of directors, and the important work ahead for this school year and beyond.! Everett Public Schools students are achieving to high standards and contributing to our community on their way to thriving in a global society, and leading and shaping the future. We will continue to need your help to keep Everett Public Schools strong. Congratulations and thank you to students, their families, school staff and the community who have helped make such achievement possible in the past, now and in the future.! Ed Petersen, President! Board of Directors! Everett Public Schools! 4730 Colby Avenue! Everett, WA 98203! (425) 385-4017|office!

9/4/2011

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(425) 385-4002|fax!

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From: Lance Biden [mailto:lance.appraisal@comcast.net] Sent: Fri 8/26/2011 4:56 PM To: Petersen, Edwin Subject: Resignation

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9/4/2011