❤️Dr. Shandor
An early Valentine’s Day Gift
At the February 10, Special Meeting following the scheduled YCSD Work Session, Dr. Shandor presented a report on the inaccuracies and concerns that arose from Board Member Lynda Fairman’s whining rant at the YCSD January 27 Regular Meeting. It wasn’t delivered in a pretty red envelope, sealed with a kiss, but it was pretty darn close.
“In my opinion, Ms. Fairman’s comments included, misinformation, examples of violations of the Superintendent’s contract, and possible violations to School Board Policy and Virginia law,” Dr. Shandor’s report stated.
Dr. Shandor dismantled Ms. Fairman’s grievances and fake news one by one in a 31-page smackdown, including an appendix! He refuted her accusations that pro-Trump students and teachers were being targeted, that there had been major breaches of protocol at the Blue Ribbon School ceremony, and that there’s an escalating number of discipline problems in YCSD schools.
She bragged that she was going to get Federal funding for a gym expansion at Bethel Manor Elementary. Not happening. She again dragged up the contention that she was illegally removed as YCSD Chair and that the opinion letters from the Attorney General’s office were legit. Yawn.
Many of the issues Ms. Fairman was reporting came from anonymous sources - nameless references such as, “I’ve gotten a lot of calls” or “I’ve heard from some people.” While this may seem on the surface to be benign, Dr. Shandor pointed out that not communicating citizen’s criticisms, complaints and suggestions with the Superintendent is a serious matter.
“In my opinion, this demonstrates repeated violations of the Superintendent's employment contract, Section II (e) requiring the Board, both individually and collectively, to promptly refer all criticisms, complaints, and suggestions concerning YCSD or its employees to the Superintendent or his designee for investigation, study, review and recommendation. Violations of the Superintendent's employment contract can expose the entire Board to an action for breach of contact,” Dr. Shandor wrote.
Read Dr. Shandor’s report from the February 10 Special Meeting. (Way to bring the receipts, Dr. Shandor!)
View video of Ms. Fairman’s comments at the YCSD January 27 Regular Meeting on YouTube.
What else do we know
Mr. Shandor’s report makes for great reading but it’s also important to read between the lines. Here’s what we can glean from the report, Ms. Fairman’s complaints and comments from Dr. Shandor and Board Members at recent meetings:
Dr. Shandor didn’t create this report just for fun. He was directed by Board Members (sans Fairman) to make and deliver the report publicly.
Fairman has been reprimanded by her fellow Board Member three (or more) times according to York County School Board Governance Norms & Protocols. Though the letters of reprimand are not public, Fairman herself has revealed the consequences. She no longer has badge access to school buildings and must seek an appointment with the Superintendent or a school administrator in order to visit schools. Also, at the February 10th meeting, her committee assignments were stripped from her and given to other Board Members.
Fairman’s fellow board members are beyond exasperated with her and continually warn her of the legal jeopardy she is placing them in.
Fairman cannot get what she wants out of the YCSD Board and staff so she is going over their heads. She has pleaded her plight to Delegate Green, Delegate Cordoza, Senator Diggs and the Virginia State Attorney General’s office. One could assume that Congressman Wittman has gotten an earful too.
Dr. Shandor is under threat - not only from Ms. Fairman directly but from others working on her behalf. At the January 27th meeting he said, “Ms. Fairman’s continued threats and creating a hostile work environment for me and her constant harassment... It’s pretty remarkable how much time you and your team put into disparaging me.”
Thank you Dr. Shandor for your report! Thank you for your resilience under the constant barrage of negativity and ineptitude coming from Ms. Fairman, et. al. We don’t want to lose you. Please keep speaking the truth and know that we support you.
Let Dr. Shandor know you support him! This Valentine’s Day, please send a little love to our favorite school superintendent.