Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, Community of Ozona, 

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding recent decisions made by our public school board and superintendent that appear to undermine the best interests of our school and its students. It has become increasingly evident that these decisions have led to a troubling decline in employee retention, particularly among those dedicated educators who genuinely care about our children’s futures.

I want to say as a parent, community member and someone whose roots in the Ozona community go deep this recent turn in our school culture has caused me great sadness. The loss of committed teachers, coaches and staff not only disrupts the learning environment but also negatively impacts the developmental and emotional well-being of our students. Our students need educators with quality and integrity. 

Being a title one district many of our students grow up with instability, and the adults at school should be a point of stability for them. How can this happen when most good coaches and educators in the district are gone within short years? 

Turnover is normal yes, but concerns over the culture and decisions that lead to turnover need to be heard. How can they have authentic learning environments when we vote out, or push out qualified educators? Every year due to the culture of our recent school district we have lost several highly qualified educators. 

When we lose talented educators, we deprive our children of the guidance they need to thrive. We also lose experienced educators who are well versed in special education policy and laws and that is a critical concern. This trend raises questions about the decision-making processes behind these events. 

I ask all community members to ask these questions to the leadership that has allowed this to happen for years. How have these things been transpiring and complaints been unheard under current leadership with no accountability falling on the director of schools? 

Moreover, the lack of transparency surrounding recent decisions has left many in the community feeling unheard, frustrated, angry. The decisions happening with staff are not our wishes. 

Board members have been told in closed and open sessions and through complaints the concerns the community has, yet decisions are being made daily that jeopardize our trust. We are witnessing a troubling erosion of ethics and integrity within our school leadership, one decision at a time. Decisions that should be made openly and collaboratively seem to be unfolding in secrecy, with little regard for input from parents, students, teachers, and the community.

It is imperative that we, as members of this community, stand up and voice our concerns. We must advocate for a district that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the well-being of our students and staff. These foundational principles are essential for fostering a flourishing educational community. 

I believe, based of handlings of previous complaints, grievances and meetings, if asked generically the superintendent and board will give a generic political answer. I urge those who have not felt heard, not felt represented and especially if you feel directly wronged to speak out formally, and perhaps involve yourself in open sessions at board meetings. I encourage you to ask questions about teacher retention and to express concerns. While it may not change past doings, confronting leadership with accountability is the way to ensure a way forward. 

I urge all community members to speak up against the wrongs being done behind closed doors and to demand a renewed commitment to ethical governance within our schools. Together, we can work towards rebuilding trust and ensuring a nurturing environment for our children.

Sincerely,  

A parent concerned 
An Ozona citizen for 30 years 
An alumni and concerned member of the community