Hostility at Prairie Crossing Charter School?

Prairie Crossing Charter School's director says a "hostile and ugly" office atmosphere created by a board member has triggered the pending resignations of at least three administrators.

Myron Dagley, the director and top administrator, issued a memo last week stating Prairie Crossing is "dead in the water" if the employees suddenly quit.

Prairie Crossing is the suburbs' only charter school and is known for its environmentally focused curriculum. In May, it was named one of 53 charter schools of the year by the Center for Educational Reform in Washington, D.C.

The school board plans to discuss the memo at a meeting today at 7 p.m. in Prairie Crossing's Kennicott Building, 1531 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. The agenda refers to a board-administration relations crisis.

Board President Linda Wiens of Grayslake said Dagley and his administration should be supported. She said his memo, which wasn't intended for the public, demonstrates the seriousness of the situation.

"I think what it's telling us is he wants us to pay attention," Wiens said Monday. "It worked."

Dagley didn't name the board member he contends is causing problems or the employees who want to quit. He said the pending resignations of three or possibly four staffers stem from personal attacks and accusations of inappropriate actions spread by the board member.

"I feel I must act to prevent these resignations from occurring," Dagley wrote. "For folks, if they do, we are dead in the water right now!"

Dagley declined to elaborate Monday. He said tonight's meeting is the appropriate time for discussion.

"I'm looking forward to a conversation with the board in the hope we can resolve these issues," he said.

Dagley is asking board members not have conversations with his staff unless he's consulted first. He also wrote that administrators should politely excuse themselves and leave if board members start directing personal criticism at a meeting.

He said the board member at issue has created a "hostile and ugly work environment," prompting his friends to ask if Prairie Crossing Charter School is a "crazy place."

Administrators subjected to the rumors and innuendo live in the Grayslake area and have been confronted by residents about such "tripe" while in the community, Dagley said.

"While I hurt just as much when I become aware of the gossip, I go home to an environment of people, friends and neighbors who know me, know I would never do the things of which I am accused, and just ignore it," wrote Dagley.

Dagley's words caught the attention of Prairie Crossing board member Cheryl Pytlarz of Mettawa.

"I'm very concerned," Pytlarz said, "and I hope that collectively the board can address the problem."

Dagley, 65, was named in March as Prairie Crossing's permanent director after serving in an interim role. He signed a three-year contract paying $100,000 annually.

Prairie Crossing is a public school with about 300 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It takes in pupils from the boundaries of Fremont Elementary District 79 and Woodland Elementary District 50, although children from elsewhere can attend if their parents' pay out-of-area tuition.