‘Ugly’ Politics at Brentwood School

I was a very active parent at Brentwood Science Magnet School (Times, Aug. 25 and Sept. 26) for six years from 1985 to 1991--in the PTA, on the Shared Decision Making Council and as a volunteer. I entrusted my four children to the teachers and educational structure at Brentwood and invested my time, energy and money to make the school the best that it could be.

As magazine drive chairperson for three years, I oversaw the raising of more than $60,000. The material benefit of these drives began to be questioned the last few years; we trusted that the money had been used well, we just couldn’t get a handle on where. Concurrently, parents on the Shared Decision Making Council were struggling to ensure parent involvement in school decision-making.

It was not happening; some of us began to complain. We did not like the budget for the 1991 school year. It provided almost no teaching assistant time in the classroom, and lots of money for flexible spending. We asked questions--we got stonewalling and disgruntlement.

As in any organization, the closer to the politics, the uglier things become. If you stand up for your convictions, especially if they are unpopular, you can experience ostracism, sniping and general distrust. These were characteristic of my last two years at Brentwood. I remained active, was even generally liked and respected, but had to weather the discomfort of innuendo, rumor and outright lies by some fellow parents and by staff.

Whether or not Beverly Tietjen, the ousted principal, took money from the student body fund is not for me to judge. What I do know is that Beverly Tietjen is a controlling person, reluctant to share power. She has been deceptive and willing to sow the seeds of divisiveness when it suits her purpose. These qualities drove some of us away, including me.

None of my children now attend Brentwood. There are no guarantees at their new schools, but at least we are no longer in an atmosphere of mistrust and viciousness where parents attack parents and teachers attack parents and fellow staff. I cannot function effectively in a place where my peers do not want to hear both sides--who cover their ears to the bad news. I understand that mud-slinging at the recent parent election by Mrs. Tietjen’s supporters was appalling. Coincidentally, your article (“Ex-Principal Wants Her Job Back,” Sept. 26) appeared on the day of the election.

Grow up, parents of children at Brentwood. You have the opportunity to work with a new principal to make Brentwood Magnet a great school--not just a place where you can guarantee yourself the teacher that you want. See what your viciousness is doing to your school and make the future better for your kids--and for all of the kids who attend Brentwood Magnet.

MARGIE CLOSE

Los Angeles