HSE Board President Lang: Gratitude, but “We don’t always agree”

The opening of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board Tuesday night featured the reading of a statement from Board President Dawn Lang, expressing “gratitude” to the local community, but “recognizing we don’t always agree.”

She referred to moving “through the next steps with this plan,” but not specifying “this plan” in her statement.  Lang expressed her commitment “to honesty, transparency and collaboration.”

“Our district staff and students are the reason we are gathered, and the reason why we serve,” Lang said at the end of her statement.  “And they continue to inspire and amaze me and my fellow trustees each and every day.”

The board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Stokes at a special meeting held at 7am Wednesday, September 13, and approved her separation agreement.  The board announced the previous Monday there would be a meeting the following Wednesday, but did not announce the subject of the action items until just after 5pm the day before the meeting.

Lang described the parting of ways with the superintendent as a mutual agreement, but speakers during the public comment argued Dr. Stokes had a “forced resignation.”  Teachers union president Abby Taylor criticized the day and time of the meeting, preventing teachers from participating in a decision with a direct impact on their work lives.

Some community members at the September 13 meeting told the media they believe race was a factor in Dr. Stokes resignation.  Lang has strongly denied race played any part in the decision to have Dr. Stokes resign with a separation agreement.

Here is President Lang’s full statement read at the beginning of Tuesday night’s meeting:

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As we move forward, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude…not only for this school district, and our community, recognizing that we don’t always agree.  There is one very important thing we have in common, that’s a passion for Hamilton Southeastern Schools. The passion is exactly what our school district needs, to bring forward and accomplish a successful plan.

I am hopeful that as we move through the next steps with this plan, we will continue to have conversations with one another and work together toward a common goal to unite Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

I’m personally committed to honesty, transparency and collaboration.  I know that the Trustees that sit beside me here today also express the same viewpoints.  It’s truly a privilege to be with you tonight, and on behalf of this board, the district as a whole, I want to thank you for your commitment to HSE Schools.

Our district staff and students are the reason we are gathered, and the reason why we serve….and they continue to inspire and amaze me and my fellow trustees each and every day.