March 1, 2012
Board Members Minniear, Bierbaum, & Boyd
of the Red River Performing Arts Academy
Dear Board,
I have to say I was blindsided by the memo I received yesterday. The only hint that I knew it was coming was the frantic voicemail and text messages Bernadette sent me this weekend.
As I see it, my paycheck for the second half of February is being withheld and my job is being reconfigured on the grounds that I am doing things improperly. Is that correct?
Let me tell you how upsetting that is, to be told that my income is being cut by 65% next month and that my income from the second half of February is not coming at all and so my bills will not be paid.
On face value, that is indeed very upsetting. But far worse is the suggested cause. You say it's on the grounds of under-performance? I ask you, against what standard?
You have provided me with a "new" job description. But it is the first job description I have received. Heretofore, I have been operating with a vague notion of my duties and exact expectations.
I have been doing what I can to fulfill the goals we set at the last board meeting. Justin and I were talking last week about having another meeting to discuss the program and what needed to be changed. He seems to think there is a lack of communication and participation on all accounts, not just mine. I must say I agree.
The current enrollment of the RRPAA is not solely determined by my actions, but by the actions of all of the members involved in running it. I am loath to cite specific failings on the part of the other members, but we all know that there is more that could be done by each. We're all busy and things get pushed off and delayed, but when those actions limit what I am able to do for my job, it becomes a problem, and of course I am the visible linchpin.
Aside from our own actions to make this happen, circumstances also conspire against us. The mid- school year timing we chose is a huge factor in our current results, perhaps the largest. It seems pretty clear that music ministers, teachers, and many others know about our program. But knowledge of it is not enough; scheduling us in during the school year is difficult. That's why we've been talking about looking toward the summer while working with what we have now.
I sent you all another of my updates two weeks ago telling you what I'd been doing and what was coming up next. I got no response from the board. I also told you about Justin being taken off the payroll and was very surprised that you all didn't respond. (Well, Bernadette was with me when I sent the emails, so I didn't need written responses from her in that instance.)
But can you see that I was attempting to tell you all what was going on with the academy and what I was doing, hoping for feedback and affirmation/critique on such important issues? I received none. Perhaps it is a shortcoming on my part for not badgering you all more for communication, but if things were going so poorly I would expect you all to let me know about it as we went along.
So now hopefully you see why I can't help but feel upset and somewhat scandalized at the developments revealed in your memo and by the withholding of my salary from the second half of February.
Modifying my salary the day before the check is due is at best unprofessional, even despite the grounds you suggest. I really must insist on being promptly paid in full for my last pay period.
As for what follows, I am not sure how this new job will work. I cannot support myself on $900 a month, and I am also rather disenchanted with things after this shocking turn of events. The future will require further discussion.
Please know that I want the best for the children and families involved, as well as for the name and well-being of the Red River Children's Choir and the Academy.
Sincerely,
Ian
Ian Leonard
Administrator
Red River Performing Arts Academy
420 Herndon Street
Shreveport, LA 71105
727-542-8380