Dear members of the School Committee:

    We hope this letter finds you well. It is with regret but firm resolve that we write to inform you of the unanimous decision of the Sandisfield members of the Regional Agreement Advisory Committee (RAAC} to resign from our positions, effective immediately. Our decision is rooted in recent developments that have fundamentally compromised our ability to effectively contribute to the RAAC’s mission. Since the beginning, with the selection of the Otis members of the RAAC, the deck has been stacked against success. Specifically, remarks made by Ms. Terry Gould, as well as her consistent misrepresentation of our interactions and decisions within the RAAC, have created an untenable situation. Ms. Gould’s statements, as excerpted from recording of meetings and emails, inaccurately portrays our meetings and process as contentious and unproductive and casts aspersions on the Sandisfield leadership, all of which contradicts the reality documented in clear video recordings.

For clarity, we would like to address several key points:

The letter then outlines in detail the following topics of contention:

• Misrepresentation of RAAC Meetings
• Allegations of Bullying and Intimidation
• Distrust and Miscommunication
• Refusal to Work in Good Faith
• Stalling and Obstruction

The letter concluded:

    The decision to resign is not taken lightly. However, the continual presence of Ms. Gould and other obstructors within the RAAC and her pattern of misrepresentation posed significant obstacles to constructive dialogue and progress. We believe that our resignation is necessary to maintain the integrity of the School Committee’s work and to ensure that future discussions are conducted in good faith and with transparency. This decision in no way reflects a lack of support for the School Committee and initiatives to foster cooperation between Sandisfield and Otis; rather it is a reflection of our commitment to each of those ends.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you require clarification or wish to this decision further, please do not hesitate to reach out to jbeardsley@sandisfieldma.gov.

    Select Board Members John Field and Steve Seddon, Town Clerk Douglas Miner, Committee Member Carl Nett

    See the Berkshire Eagle for additional information. Sandisfield members of a Farmington River Regional School District advisory committee have resigned with a key deadline looming.