Preserving Wakefield

Preserving Wakefield

Determining who should run Wakefield School comes down to the best interests of the students — not of the Lynn family, not of the Board of Directors. On that criterion alone, we find the board clearly the more appropriate body to steward the school.

It is truly sad that the dispute has resulted in a situation where the Lynns, who built the school and who, one would think, ought to have a rble in Wakefield’s affairs into posterity, can no longer be a part of the school’s administration. But the actions of Clydetta and Pamela Lynn in the last few months make it crystal clear that they are willing to destroy the institution to execute a seemingly irrational vendetta against the board. Significantly, the family itself selected the board members last year, apparently to avoid possible financial disaster. Now they-want to turn back the clock.

But in the last two years the board has turned around the school’s finances, even pledging their own collateral to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars. That alone creates a sense of good intentions that the Lynns, sadly, fail to acknowledge.

The charge, repeatedly made by Pamela Lynn, that the school’s curriculum is being destroyed, doesn’t hold water. In fact, the vast majority of the faculty voted for any changes that have taken place, and we hardly find those few changes are harmful. If headmaster Dr. Alan Saunders wants to change the curriculum — and again, we don’t think he really has — so be it. Educational institutions, like all of life, are subject to flux. Every school, from the most ramshackle one-room schoolhouse to Oxford University, changes its curriculum once in a while. Computers weren’t being taught at Wakefield when it opened, for one good example.

More to the point, however, is an examination of the patterns of behavior on each side. The board dealt patiently — too patiently, we think — with Pamela Lynn’s grandstanding during the first months of this year. It took decisive and effective steps to control the finances, which were spinning out of control. And it has even been able to increase teachers’ salaries 10 percent while replacing an aging and dangerous bus fleet.

On the other side, Pamela Lynn sent vitriolic and bitter letters to teachers and parents, she lashed out at the Educo Trust lawyers despite their efforts on her behalf and has announced her intention to start a new school. Clydetta Lynn has issued an eviction notice to 300-plus students who need Wakefield’s unique educational system. Neither woman apparently recognizes that the great majority of parents and teachers appreciate the new board’s actions. In short, the Lynns are threatening to destroy Wakefield — and ironically, they’re accusing the board of dismantling the school.

Seven or eight months ago, a compromise should have been ironed out, leaving the Lynns with some input into the school’s affairs. Now that’s impossible.