August 14, 2001

A LETTER OF APPRECIATION

Dear Stone Supporters,

First of all, I sincerely want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your tremendous support in attempting to have me reinstated as the Site Superintendent at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside.  Since June 18^th, the day of infamy, you have bombarded me with emails, letters, calls, and personal meetings, offering your genuine concerns and continued support.  I want to apologize for not responding to each of you personally in a timely manner.  During the last 2 1ž2 months, I struggled with the tragic news, while at the same time, continued to keep my commitments. It has been a difficult journey for me.

Many of you wrote letters and emails to the state officials, Dr. Ronald Kadish, Director of State Special Schools, Mr. Henry Der, Assistant Superintendent of Equity, Access and Support Division, and Ms. Delaine Eastin, Superintendent of Public Instruction in Sacramento asking that I be reinstated or requesting more attention be given to much needed school improvement at CSDR.   I appreciate your efforts very much.

DEAF WOMEN UNITED CONFERENCE

On June 20^th, I flew to Austin, Texas for the Deaf Women United Conference, where I was both keynote speaker and participant.  Jo Bienvenu, the conference chair, had immediately contacted me as conference attendees had been concerned I would be too upset to attend.   I assured her I would show up no matter what happened, aware of the impracticality of finding a replacement within two days. It was an emotional experience for me, however, many women at the conference approached me with comfort and support.  During the conference, Ella Mae Lentz and Judy Gough of Fremont worked with some parents on the “CSDR facts”, meeting with me to assure that everything was clear and understandable for the readers.  At the general meeting, two motions were unanimously passed: a letter of support to the Sacramento state office and a resolution recognizing my service and commitment.  I was overwhelmed by those major efforts of those wonderful Deaf Women.

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF/DEAF CHILDREN FIRST

I attended the California Association of the Deaf Convention July 4-8 and gave an opening presentation on leadership and new changes. Russ Bye, CAD president and Mark Sullivan, Conference Chair were there to ensure that my stay was comfortable and all my presentation needs were met.  The most important part was the general meeting where some CSDR parents shared their concerns about CSDR and asked the audience for assistance and support.  Ramy Bustamante, Zibby Bayarsky, Dana Baldiviez and a staff member gave very emotional speeches on behalf of CSDR students, and some members of the audience were brought to tears.

Immediately after the presentation, the Deaf Children First (DCF) committee met with directors and representatives of local agencies serving deaf and hard of hearing people in the state of California.  At the beginning of the meeting, I asked the group to separate me from the issues at CSDR and to stay focused on the school issues.  It was decided that agencies would provide training and assistance on IEP and parental rights to parents in the near future.

Libby Pollard, President of National Association of the Deaf was present at the meeting and heard the parents’ concerns.  She asked NAD to write a letter of concern to Ronald Kadish of Sacramento and request that these concerns be resolved at CSDR (see NAD section in the deafriverside.org website). So the efforts by the DCF committee were successful in getting support from deaf organizations, at the state and national levels.

RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

I mentioned in my earlier message in the deafriverside website that I would begin teaching ASL 1 part time at Riverside Community College.  On Friday, June 22^nd while attending the conference, I received a message from RCC, saying they were interested in meeting with me as soon as possible.  On Tuesday, June 26^th, I met with some RCC officials to discuss the employment possibility there.  Riverside Community College was not the only group to contact me with job possibilities.  Several contacts were further away, but I was not ready to leave Riverside.  However, I did spend some time making contacts and exploring potential job possibilities in this area.  Now, things have changed.  I will update you in a few weeks when my employment status with RCC has been finalized. 

JUNE 18-JULY 27 ATO

It seemed fate, fired and offered another job within the same week.  During the ATO period, I struggled with the decision. The state made it very clear that I would be terminated, but I was unsure as to resign before being officially terminated. And would the constant pressure of the Stone supporters change Eastin’s mind?  So many questions were left unanswered.  Please see my other letter on the deafriverside.org website for more information.

Finally, I came to the conclusion I must search for the kind of employment which provides me the greatest satisfaction.  I enjoy working with motivated people and new ideas.  I need to feel respected and to be looked up to as a competent Deaf leader.

ENPOWERMENT

I have contributed tremendous time and service to the CSDR community.  These contributions I made are evident in the growth of Deaf Pride and positive self identity among students, staff and parents. I am proud of those accomplishments and have not regretted a moment when I served as the Superintendent at CSDR.  I may have been burned many times but I survived.  I may have fallen down but I always got up.

There continues to be resentment at CSDR and the state level.  The state is still running CSDR, even though, we have deaf administrators now. A lack of respect and power struggles are still apparent at CSDR.  Some people are not willing to accept new changes, or new deaf leaders.

Before I would return to CSDR as the superintendent, I would require specific implementations. I cannot return to CSDR assuming that things would eventually change.   The CSEA (union) and specific employees, especially, the supervisory team, have been great obstacles to the growth and improvement of education for students.  As long as these obstacles are still there, the school will not improve.  I am no longer there to help eliminate these obstacles.  CSDR must make changes and now it is up to parents and staff to see that changes happen.  I wish the next superintendent the best of luck with the challenges.

I wrote you another letter which I decided to completely separate from this letter. Your support has profoundly impacted me and the CSDR community and your actions will never be forgotten- a truly historical milestone for the Deaf community and Deaf Education.  I thank you sincerely for your valuable efforts in this cause.  I wish you all the best.

Warmest regards,

Rachel