FEDERATION OF STAFF ASSOCIATIONS

June 5^th. 2002

Dear Parents, Dear Ecolint Community Members,

The representatives of the staff of the International School would like to make clear their position with regard to the referendum announced by the Governing Board at the recent Consultative General Assembly.

(We are deeply concerned about the way in which the referendum is being organised and the message conveyed in the letter from the Board Chairman which accompanies it. For this reason we feel that it is important to contact all community members to share with them the staff preceptions of recent events.)

Since staff concerns were first aired publicly at the February Extraordinary Consultative Assembly nothing has changed. No meaningful action has been taken by either the Governing Board or the Director General to address these concerns. Twice staff representatives have written to the Board Chairman requesting a meeting to share perceptions of the causes of the crisis afflicting our schools. There has been no reply.

We have requested access to the Foundation's communication network in order to ensure that the community is fully informed. This access has been refused by the Board Chairman and so community members have received only the 'official' version of the situation.

(We have twice asked that the referendum be elaborated jointly by all concerned parties to ensure that the outcome is not contested. We have received no reply to our request.)

In recent weeks four members of the Governing Board, including two members of the Executive Committee, have resigned to protest against Board practices and policies. The recent attempt to manipulate the elections to the Governing Board is but one example.

The present crisis must not be allowed to continue. So far staff have been able to prevent the consequences from reaching into the classroom but this cannot be sustained long-term if the climate within our schools continues to deteriorate. Do not be misled into thinking that a vote against the present Governing Board will threaten our ECIS accreditation or bring about the collapse of the Foundation. Such disasters will most likely occur if we continue with our present leadership. An essential first step towards the restoration of the reputation of the Foundation is the removal from power of those who have brought us to the brink of disaster. Only when this has been achieved will it be possible for the community to heal its wounds and begin a new and more positive chapter in the history of Ecolint.

John Schumann

Federation Co-ordinator

For the representatives of the Ecolint staff