Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Following a meeting of the Nardin Academy Board of Trustees Wednesday, the embattled President of the private school along with nine board members will step aside.
The massive shift in school leadership comes after claims of a culture of intimidation and mistrust and weeks of unrest at the school that has included demonstrations, walkouts and a divisive split in the school community.
WBEN has learned President Dr. Sandra Betters will step down June 30 and nine members of the board will step aside.
Nardin Parent, Jen Parks, details the school environment that was caused parents and students to speak out.
"Being able to speak your mind and have an opinion and be able to have supportive discussions with your teachers, things like that we're getting squashed. And I think it's important that that dialogue, be open, honest and transparent, because that's how we move forward. And unfortunately, it seems in the last couple of years, that wasn't a possibility. And if you were not on board with the leader's philosophies, then you were wrong and you're at risk for for being pushed out. And so that type of threatening and toxic environment wasn't good for anybody."
It comes to no surprise to Parks that the Dr. Betters stepped down.
"Given the amount of attention, the amount of letters, the amount of phone calls, the children have spoken, the parents have spoken. I'm not surprised at all," said Nardin Parent Jen Parks. "I'm actually grateful that she actually decided that was the right thing to do for Nardin to be able to move forward."
The nine board members leaving where members who spoke out against the actions of the president.
"Those nine board members stood up for what the parents and students were asking for," said Parks. "And they were brave enough to come out publicly and state their concerns, and they asked for the termination of Dr. Betters and [Board Chair] Tish Van Dyke. So, without their support, I don't think we would have gotten to this point. It is disappointing, because I do feel that they truly represented the voice of the parents and the students. The fact that they are no longer on the board is very concerning, but I'm hopeful that we can move forward together."
Parks, in her opinion, believes that the only way Dr. Betters would step down, was for those board members to follow.
Parks says this was the first step for Nardin Academy for better days ahead.
"This was absolutely the first step. There are still many things that need to happen. But this was the critical component of what needed to happen for the school to move forward and survive. There still are some questions that need to be answered. But my guess and hope is that the board will come forward with with answers to many of these questions."
Question like, who the interim president be, who is filling the board and what is to come in response to Van Dyke's letter on actions being taken to help the students learn and grow... as well as establishing open dialogue with the parents.
[shortcode-inline-related expand="1" link="/wben/news/local/plan-for-healing-and-growth-in-latest-nardin-academy-email" headline=""Plan for Healing and Growth" in latest Nardin Academy email" image="/media-library/image.jpg?id=63649574"]Following the developments, the group Nardin Together issued the following statement late Wednesday:
"We commend the Board of Trustees for addressing the current crisis and are optimistic that Nardin Academy will quickly move beyond the negative shadow cast as a result of this tumultuous time. We now turn our focus on rebuilding the trust and confidence of Nardin's students, faculty, staff, and supporters with the lessons learned from this challenging experience.
"We express our deep gratitude to the nine courageous Trustees for their persistence, devotion, and sacrifice for the school. We likewise thank all Nardin stakeholders, including the students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, donors, and friends, for their perseverance and commitment."
