Upheaval at Holton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people still clueless as to why Holton is tanking?

The new HoS is a puppet hard-right conservative who's friends with
Brett Kavanaugh and Glenn Youngkin.

Last year, she made many cultural changes and got into a big fight with the Black affinity group. She walked away from the forum crying, and one of her assistants wrote in an email that the Black families needed to pay for how they treated her. The same assistant accidentally sent the email to a bunch of Black parents.

Most of the White parents seem okay with it, but a lot of the Black parents are trying to leave. We pulled our application after everything came out.

It was a pretty big deal last year.

Can you give more examples of why Holton is tanking? What cultural changes have been made? We are a black family considering Holton. We were considering Holton a few years ago and decided to wait until middle school. We visited then, and also recently, and the school seems less diverse, but we did see more black faculty. Where did you end up applying instead? Also, why would Holton bring in a hard right conservative to a liberal school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people still clueless as to why Holton is tanking?

The new HoS is a puppet hard-right conservative who's friends with
Brett Kavanaugh and Glenn Youngkin.

Last year, she made many cultural changes and got into a big fight with the Black affinity group. She walked away from the forum crying, and one of her assistants wrote in an email that the Black families needed to pay for how they treated her. The same assistant accidentally sent the email to a bunch of Black parents.

Most of the White parents seem okay with it, but a lot of the Black parents are trying to leave. We pulled our application after everything came out.

It was a pretty big deal last year.

What a bigoted remark!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people still clueless as to why Holton is tanking?

The new HoS is a puppet hard-right conservative who's friends with
Brett Kavanaugh and Glenn Youngkin.

Last year, she made many cultural changes and got into a big fight with the Black affinity group. She walked away from the forum crying, and one of her assistants wrote in an email that the Black families needed to pay for how they treated her. The same assistant accidentally sent the email to a bunch of Black parents.

Most of the White parents seem okay with it, but a lot of the Black parents are trying to leave. We pulled our application after everything came out.

It was a pretty big deal last year.

wtf

Why are they expanding. That is absurd.

One of the reasons why the HoS was brought in was because she was sold as a good fundraiser. The Marriott family pulled its funding because of the school's DEI stance. So, folks on the board thought that DEI would cause more donors to leave, so they brought Penny in to help regain right-wing donations. She hasn't been able to, so they will need more students now.

How has the schools DEI stance changed? There’s only so much you can take away from tours and open houses. This is important information for families applying, especially families of color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people still clueless as to why Holton is tanking?

The new HoS is a puppet hard-right conservative who's friends with
Brett Kavanaugh and Glenn Youngkin.

Last year, she made many cultural changes and got into a big fight with the Black affinity group. She walked away from the forum crying, and one of her assistants wrote in an email that the Black families needed to pay for how they treated her. The same assistant accidentally sent the email to a bunch of Black parents.

Most of the White parents seem okay with it, but a lot of the Black parents are trying to leave. We pulled our application after everything came out.

It was a pretty big deal last year.

wtf

Why are they expanding. That is absurd.

One of the reasons why the HoS was brought in was because she was sold as a good fundraiser. The Marriott family pulled its funding because of the school's DEI stance. So, folks on the board thought that DEI would cause more donors to leave, so they brought Penny in to help regain right-wing donations. She hasn't been able to, so they will need more students now.

How has the schools DEI stance changed? There’s only so much you can take away from tours and open houses. This is important information for families applying, especially families of color.

She removed all the DEI language from the contract, which caught a bunch of folks by surprise. Penny then had a forum about it and blamed the changes on anti-trust. I am not joking. Then she burst into tears and left.

I know a few Black families who wanted to leave, but it was too late to apply elsewhere. So they plan to move on next year.

And before you ask, Penny isn't going anywhere. Her contract is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Because most of the families don’t care. Diversity is really only skin-deep at a school like Holton.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for sharing. I really do appreciate it. We knew something was off, but we couldn’t quite put our finger on it. I know the academics are great but why haven’t other parents, other than the black affinity group spoken up?

I don't try to get into people's heads. I know I will not pay 50k to be a culture-war pawn and put my DD in a potentially dangerous environment.

Here are the emails:

Email Chain: Reflections from the HoS Meeting with the Black Family Affinity Group

Email from [Redacted Parent] (February 15, 2024, 9:59 PM):
Subject: Reflections from the HoS Meeting with the Black Family Affinity Group
To: [Redacted Recipients]

Dear [Redacted Recipients],

Thank you for the initiative taken in organizing the recent meeting with the Black Family Affinity Group. It was a meaningful effort to foster dialogue and understanding. However, there are concerns regarding transparency, inclusivity, and communication on DEIB-related matters.

The meeting raised important questions about staffing, accountability, and changes to policies. Families expressed concerns that relying on "distributed leadership" without a clear, accountable leader for DEIB work represents a step backward. Similarly, changes to the re-enrollment contract and the lack of communication surrounding them have eroded trust.

We believe in Holton-Arms’ commitment to DEIB, but vigilance and transparency are necessary to ensure sustained progress. Thank you for your dedication to these values.

Sincerely,
[Redacted Parent]
Parent of [Redacted Children’s Information]

Email from [Redacted Board Member] (February 16, 2024, 6:16 AM):
Subject: Reflections from the HoS Meeting with the Black Family Affinity Group
To: [Redacted Recipients], [Note: the Black Affinity Group was inadvertently copied, as their inclusion was not intended by the sender.

FYI — Would be helpful to collaborate on a response. Here are my thoughts:

Thank you for the outreach.
All hiring decisions and parent communication are the responsibility of the Head of School (HoS).
The Board of Trustees (BOT) affirms its commitment to DEIB as described in board-approved documents.
Thank you for your commitment to Holton-Arms and your efforts to build community.
Best,
[Redacted Board Member]


Email from [Redacted Staff Member] (February 16, 2024, 7:30 AM):
Subject: Re: Reflections from the HoS Meeting with the Black Family Affinity Group
To: [Redacted Recipients, including Penny Evins]

Thank you. He did not ask for any action in his letter. I do not think it requires a response unless you have a relationship with him of which I am unaware.

I do not understand why the parents are reaching out to the board. It is inappropriate and shows a misunderstanding of the board’s role and responsibility.

[Redacted Section] I am deeply troubled that there are parents in this community who think what they are doing is not only ok but is warranted. I am appalled that these parents think they can treat Penny the way they did. I am unsettled to know that these parents are telling their children things about this school that are wildly untrue. Ultimately, I am shocked that this is what is happening in the Holton-Arms community and clearly, to me, has been happening for quite some time. It is absolutely not right for anyone to think they can speak and act in the way they did this week without recourse.

[Redacted Section] I believe that taking the counsel of our crisis communications experts at this time is a wise move.

Best regards,
[Redacted Staff Member]


Email from [Redacted Sender] (February 20, 2024, 11:15 AM):
Subject: FW: Reflections from the HoS Meeting with the Black Family Affinity Group
To: [Redacted Recipients, including Penny Evins]

Dear [Redacted Recipients],

I was extremely disheartened when I read an email from another staff member Friday morning, but upon reflection, I am glad I got a glimpse behind the curtain. At the Black Family Affinity Group meeting, we heard assurances that did not align with the concerns being raised.

The meeting felt centered on damage control rather than deep listening and collaboration. While well-intentioned, the lack of substantive answers and vulnerability left many of us feeling dismissed. This has amplified concerns about the school’s commitment to DEIB and transparent communication.

An email from a senior administrator only deepened the disappointment, as it implied a dismissive attitude toward parents' concerns and an alarming call for "recourse" against families who spoke their truths. This attitude does not align with Holton’s values and commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive community.

I urge the Board and school leadership to address these concerns, ensure transparency, and reaffirm Holton’s commitment to DEIB work.

With respect and urgency,
[Redacted Sender]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because most of the families don’t care. Diversity is really only skin-deep at a school like Holton.

We had "friends" who applied even after knowing the issues.

[Anonymous]

OMG someone please out the board member who doesn’t know what “recourse” means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG someone please out the board member who doesn’t know what “recourse” means.

Also please someone out the parent who then committed email murder by quoting it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because most of the families don’t care. Diversity is really only skin-deep at a school like Holton.

THIS! “40% students of color” This doesn’t mean diversity and is superficial. I would also say less than 10% are black.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG someone please out the board member who doesn’t know what “recourse” means.

Wait, that email was from an administrator?!!?

[Anonymous]

I’m not one to be easily ruffled but that is a Very Bad Email for an administrator to send, even if they didn’t accidentally copy anyone. That’s pretty bad. Even if your rabidly MAGA and out for woke blood, you don’t want to send stupid warriors.

[Anonymous]

Can any current liberal families not in the upper class share why your family is staying at Holton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because most of the families don’t care. Diversity is really only skin-deep at a school like Holton.

THIS! “40% students of color” This doesn’t mean diversity and is superficial. I would also say less than 10% are black.

Plenty of visible diversity. But little diversity that isn’t visible. It’s just for show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people still clueless as to why Holton is tanking?

The new HoS is a puppet hard-right conservative who's friends with
Brett Kavanaugh and Glenn Youngkin.

Last year, she made many cultural changes and got into a big fight with the Black affinity group. She walked away from the forum crying, and one of her assistants wrote in an email that the Black families needed to pay for how they treated her. The same assistant accidentally sent the email to a bunch of Black parents.

Most of the White parents seem okay with it, but a lot of the Black parents are trying to leave. We pulled our application after everything came out.

It was a pretty big deal last year.

wtf

Why are they expanding. That is absurd.

Yuck. Is this true?