Joe Primasing

From: nathalie cruden <nathaliecruden@gmail.com>

Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 1:55 PM
To: Board
Subject: constituent comment for 10/25/16
Attachments: final schoolboard 1025.docx

Dear School Board,

I hope that this letter can be read at tonight's meeting as a constituent comment. I am unable to attend, as I was
not able to be excused from my job.
Thank you,
Nathalie Cruden

1
I am Nathalie Cruden. I am writing on behalf of my son, . My
topic is trust. I live at Thank you for reading this comment
aloud as a constituent comment.
Thank you all for your hard work and long hours. Mostly, Id like to thank
you for listening to us. Im very sorry I could not get off of work tonight, I
wanted to be at this meeting.

I read a letter on Sept. 13th. At that time, I asked for three things that would
help rebuild trust between the ICCSD and parents:
1. That you set an example in open and direct communication and require
the ICCSD to do the same.
2. That you hold people accountable for doing their jobs in compliance with
the law.
and
3. That you make sure the independent investigations are unbiased and
thorough and make the findings public.
What I was saying was not new, youd heard from other parents in August
asking for the same thing: to be treated with respect and for help rebuilding
the trust that has been broken between the parents of special needs kids and
the ICCSD.
In my letter I spoke a lot about the retaliatory culture found in the ICCSD.
As of the meeting on 9/13, no one had been hired to look into this. I believe
there were plans to interview someone the following week, but I have no
idea if that happened. If this aspect of the report is not addressed, there is
little hope that mutual trust and respect will be possible.
Since I made my first comment on 9/13 a few things have happened:
1. Ms. Dixon presented a power point at the 9/13 board meeting
regarding the plan to come into compliance with the DoE report. None
of the info in that plan has been shared with parents- I think the only
reason we have it is that I happened to be at that meeting and was able
to ask for a copy.
2. I asked Superintendent Murley twice, on behalf of a group of parents,
if we could speak with the DoE liaison. I was ignored.
 3. The Gazette published a lengthy story about the use and abuse of
seclusion rooms. There has been no follow up from the ICCSD.
4. Ms. Dixon is on leave for 3 months. I found this out in a press-citizen
article about special education funding.

In short, no change in communication, or the lack thereof, has happened.

Im uncertain about how the plan to come into compliance is coming along,
since we havent had any communication on that front. I choose to assume
the best: that the ICCSD is still working to attend to all the aspects of the
report, and Im hopeful that this information will be shared with us.
The last request I had was that people be held accountable for violating the
rights of the special education students and their families. I read in the Press
Citizen that you, the school board, intend to give Superintendent Murley a
very nice new contract with a hefty pay raise.
I am assuming you are giving him this raise because you believe he is doing
an exemplary job.
Just in the 2015-16 year, in the special education area, his administration has
allowed multiple violations of federal law over the course of at least a year.
He initially refused to address those violations, instead the administration
hired a lawyer in an attempt to carry on as usual.
How is this acceptable, much less, excellent work? Who benefits from this
sort of job performance? If its not the students, maybe you need to rethink
the pay raise.
From: Lori Roetlin
To: nathalie cruden
Subject: RE: constituent comment for 10/25/16
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 3:33:44 PM

I have gotten approval to ready your letter. I don't know if it will be me that reads it
or someone else but I've printed it off and it should be read by someone. Thanks for
giving input.

Lori

Lori Roetlin, LISW, MSSA

Iowa City Community School District
Board of Directors

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Mahatma Gandhi

From: nathalie cruden [nathaliecruden@gmail.com]

Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 1:55 PM
To: Board
Subject: constituent comment for 10/25/16

Dear School Board,

I hope that this letter can be read at tonight's meeting as a constituent comment. I am unable to
attend, as I was not able to be excused from my job.
Thank you,
Nathalie Cruden
From: Brian Kirschling
To: Stephen Murley
Subject: FW: constituent comment for 10/25/16
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 2:50:44 PM
Attachments: final schoolboard 1025.docx

I suspect this is the letter that is to be read tonight. I sincerely hope is it not.

If a board member is reading a personal letter, are these statements considered evaluative?

Brian R. Kirschling
ICCSD Board of Education
319-331-6746 mobile

www.iowacityschools.org

From: nathalie cruden [nathaliecruden@gmail.com]

Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 1:55 PM
To: Board
Subject: constituent comment for 10/25/16

Dear School Board,

I hope that this letter can be read at tonight's meeting as a constituent comment. I am unable to
attend, as I was not able to be excused from my job.
Thank you,
Nathalie Cruden

NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures.
This email communication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may
otherwise be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not
the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the
copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, any unauthorized
retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank you.
From: nathalie cruden
To: Lori Roetlin
Subject: Fwd: constituent comment for 10/25/16
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 4:03:14 PM

Hello Lori,
Given Dir. Kirschlind's response, which I have shared with you, I think it's unwise for anyone
on the board to read my letter. I did not think about the implications to sitting board members
when I asked you.

I'm sorry that he feels the tone is hostile. I did not mean it that way, I was just trying to stick
with what I feel are facts. I plan to tell him that, as well.
Thank you,
Nathalie

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Brian Kirschling <Brian.Kirschling@iowacityschools.org>
Date: Tue, Oct 25, 2016 at 3:02 PM
Subject: RE: constituent comment for 10/25/16
To: nathalie cruden <nathaliecruden@gmail.com>

Thank you for your comments, Nathalie.

By supplying them to the Board, you have effectively made your point.

Given the nature of your comments, I sincerely hope that you do not wish for a sitting board
member to read them aloud in a public meeting. If you wish them to be read aloud, I would
recommend that you pass them on to a non-board member to read during community
comment.

I would ask that you consider your actions before you do so, however, as I truly hope that you
do not wish to convey the sentiment or tone that you do in letter. Sup Murley is an employee
of the district and, like other public employees, does not deserve to be insulted or attacked in
public. Doing so, according to district policy may subject you to legal action as stated in the
Board President's Comments <http://www.boarddocs.com/ia/iccsd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=
A8TNEH5AAE27> at the beginning of each meeting of the Board.

Regards,

Brian
Brian R. Kirschling
ICCSD Board of Education
319-331-6746mobile

www.iowacityschools.org<http://www.iowacityschools.org/>

________________________________
From: nathalie cruden [nathaliecruden@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 1:55 PM
To: Board
Subject: constituent comment for 10/25/16

Dear School Board,

I hope that this letter can be read at tonight's meeting as a constituent comment. I am unable to
attend, as I was not able to be excused from my job.
Thank you,
Nathalie Cruden

________________________________

NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in
accordance with District policy and procedures. This email communication, including
attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and
may otherwise be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The information is intended
solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received
this communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy
you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this
communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other
use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank you.
From: Brian Kirschling
To: Stephen Murley
Cc: Chris Lynch
Subject: Fwd: constituent comment for 10/25/16
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 4:32:24 PM

FYI follow up. See below...

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: nathalie cruden <nathaliecruden@gmail.com>

Date: October 25, 2016 at 4:16:36 PM CDT
To: Brian Kirschling <Brian.Kirschling@iowacityschools.org>
Cc: <Lori.Roetlin@iowacityschools.org>
Subject: Re: constituent comment for 10/25/16

Hello Dir. Kirschling,

I've copied Dir. Roetlin as she responded at nearly the same time as you and
offered to read the letter. After reading your letter, I realized that I was putting all
of you in an awkward position by asking that the letter be read by one of you, and
I apologize for that. The only people I know who may be at the meeting will
likely have their own thoughts to share, and I couldn't think of any other way to
share my thoughts. You are right, the letter to you is enough.

Thank you for taking the time to read it and respond.

I'm very sorry to hear that you felt I was attacking the superintendent! I did not
intend to insult or attack him. I have laid out what I feel are facts about how the
ICCSD is handling the special ed. division, from what I have read in the DoE
report, what I've read in newspaper articles,and what I've heard at the board
meetings. Obviously, my view is narrow, I'm only following special education
issues- my son has just started the school process and, sadly, it happened during a
year when a DoE investigation was thought necessary by GWAEA.
I'm hopeful that the ICCSD will continue it's plans to come into compliance, as I
stated in the letter, and I hope that if parents keep asking for communication from
the ICCSD we will eventually be informed of events that affect us, like Ms.
Dixon's leave.

I do think a pay increase when these sorts of events are playing out is
questionable. I'm very sorry if that sounds like an attack, but that is my opinion.

Sincerely,
Nathalie Cruden

On Tue, Oct 25, 2016 at 3:02 PM, Brian Kirschling

<Brian.Kirschling@iowacityschools.org> wrote:
Thank you for your comments, Nathalie.
By supplying them to the Board, you have effectively made your point.

Given the nature of your comments, I sincerely hope that you do not wish for a
sitting board member to read them aloud in a public meeting. If you wish them
to be read aloud, I would recommend that you pass them on to a non-board
member to read during community comment.

I would ask that you consider your actions before you do so, however, as I truly
hope that you do not wish to convey the sentiment or tone that you do in letter.
Sup Murley is an employee of the district and, like other public employees, does
not deserve to be insulted or attacked in public. Doing so, according to district
policy may subject you to legal action as stated in the Board President's
Comments <http://www.boarddocs.com/ia/iccsd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=
A8TNEH5AAE27> at the beginning of each meeting of the Board.

Regards,

Brian

Brian R. Kirschling
ICCSD Board of Education
319-331-6746mobile

www.iowacityschools.org<http://www.iowacityschools.org/>

________________________________
From: nathalie cruden [nathaliecruden@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 1:55 PM
To: Board
Subject: constituent comment for 10/25/16

Dear School Board,

I hope that this letter can be read at tonight's meeting as a constituent comment.
I am unable to attend, as I was not able to be excused from my job.
Thank you,
Nathalie Cruden

________________________________

NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are
 archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This email
communication, including attachments, contains information which may be
confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from
disclosure under applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use
of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received
this communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and
delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or
believe you received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention,
copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly
prohibited. Thank you.

NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures.
This email communication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may
otherwise be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not
the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the
copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, any unauthorized
retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank you.
From: Stephen Murley
To: Brian Kirschling
Cc: Chris Lynch; LaTasha DeLoach
Subject: RE: constituent comment for 10/25/16
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 3:08:58 PM

Good Afternoon Brian,

Ms. Cruden originally contacted the District February 4, 2016. District staff responded to her later
that same day. Ms. Cruden had expressed concerns with the SpEd preschool process and the
identification and staffing procedures that are run through the AEA. Appropriate background
information was shared with her and she was then referred to the AEA for additional answers.

Ms. Cruden then shared a letter with the Board at the September 13, 2016 Board meeting. While
that letter has many questions in it, they were rhetorical and were not directed at the administrative
team for follow-up.

Ms. Cruden then contacted Director Hemingway on October 9, 2016 regarding turn-over among
support staff. This question was referred to Human Resources for follow up.

Ms. Cruden is not currently a parent of a student in the preschool program.

Ms. Cruden did ask me about meeting with the DE Implementation Advisor prior to that
appointment by the DE. I shared with her that I would pass her request on to the DE which I did. I
was unaware that they had not followed up with her.

Steve

Stephen F. Murley
Superintendent of Schools
Iowa City Community School District
1725 North Dodge Street
Iowa City, IA 52245-9589
Phone: 319-688-1000
Fax: 319-688-1009
Web: http://www.iowacityschools.org

From: Brian Kirschling

Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 2:51 PM
To: Stephen Murley <Murley.Stephen@iowacityschools.org>
Subject: FW: constituent comment for 10/25/16

I suspect this is the letter that is to be read tonight. I sincerely hope is it not.

If a board member is reading a personal letter, are these statements considered evaluative?

Brian R. Kirschling
ICCSD Board of Education
319-331-6746 mobile

www.iowacityschools.org

From: nathalie cruden [nathaliecruden@gmail.com]

Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 1:55 PM
To: Board
Subject: constituent comment for 10/25/16

Dear School Board,

I hope that this letter can be read at tonight's meeting as a constituent comment. I am unable to
attend, as I was not able to be excused from my job.
Thank you,
Nathalie Cruden

NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures.
This email communication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may
otherwise be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not
the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the
copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, any unauthorized
retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank you.

NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures.
This email communication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may
otherwise be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not
the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the
copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, any unauthorized
retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank you.