lasted nearly two years without a whisper of discord.

lasted nearly two years without a whisper of discord. I voluntarily gave up the administration of the school to a board of directors who gave generous assurances of their devotion to the school’s principles, and I interfered in no way with their actions for 11 months. Only after it became abundantly clear to students, teachers, and parents who pushed me to action, that the administration was not serving the best interests of the school, did I speak out.

It was always my hope that this transition to an independent board could be made smoothly, considering that one of the school’s co-founders was still alive and able to advise it. My advice was never asked for: The board of non-educators assumed that they knew what was best for the school and the current problems resulted. Open dialogue, if it had been allowed by the board, could have prevented this situation and was asked for by me in January. As the board repeatedly refused a face-toface meeting with me, steps had to be taken to bring about such a meeting and, perforce, eventually escalating to the lawsuit and eviction notice. If the board still avoids valid negotiation the problems at Wakefield will persist. Unfortunately the board’s obdurate refusal of other venues seems to be forcing the meeting to take place in a courtroom, not the most friendly of atmospheres.

I would like to correct two statements I was represented in your article as making. The first, quoted from unnamed sources present at the June 4 parents’ meeting, changes tone by being quoted out of context. At that meeting I read from some letters I had written to the board attempting a dialogue with them. I also read three letters in which my mother-in-law, Clydetta Lynn, revoked the “pocket deed” she had signed and requested its return to her. She had been assured by