Sonoma NAACP President Claimed EAHS Foundation is Politicized
In Jan. 2023, Santa Rosa-Sonoma County NAACP President Kirstyne Lange abruptly resigned from the Elsie Allen High School Foundation Board due to alleged moral conflict
I recently had the opportunity to review archives of public records responses regarding Santa Rosa-Sonoma County NAACP President Kirstyne Lange.
On January 12, 2023, Ms. Lange abruptly resigned from the Elsie Allen High School Foundation Board due to alleged moral conflict. She issued the following letter of resignation to her fellow Board Colleagues:
January 12, 2023
Dear EAHS Foundation Board Colleagues,
After a ton of reflection and view, I write to inform you of my official resignation from the Foundation Board effective immediately.
At this time, I do not feel that I can continue to be of service as I navigate ongoing health concerns and a mismatch of my initial goals and vision as a member of the board. I have found it difficult to wait for the anticipated program support to realize the fullest potential that the programs committee needs. While it is great to offer teacher grants and student scholarships, I have skills and expertise that may be better utilized in other settings. This dynamic leaves me feeling unfulfilled and not able to contribute in a way that feels authentic.
Additionally, with the presentation of new board members, I was stuck with a deep moral conflict. While I have experience and expertise in working collectively with folks from various perspectives and backgrounds, I found myself deeply conflicted with a particular candidate who has a history of working for organizations that have been aggressively disrespectful and harmful to some of the most vulnerable in our community. I would imagine this person to be well intentioned but I was struck by the choice to work within institutions that have attacked a Latina school board member, farmworkers and taken political ads out on the immigrant communities; all of which are the makeup of the student population at Elsie Allen High School.
I recognize that the foundation may not be fully engulfed in the community/county at large and when I shared my concerns, I was listened to but I did not feel heard. The board leadership and consultant were not able to hear my concerns and take ownership of sharing the insights with you all and instead tasked me. After deep reflection I came to the conclusion that it was not my responsibility. I hold a firm line in the optics of people using organizations to do “feel good” work.
Given my deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the organizations I dedicate service to and the root of my business, I cannot continue to serve on a board that prioritizes fundraising over the programs needed to support the students and staff at Elsie.
I have appreciated getting to know each and every one of you throughout my time at the community level and as a voting board member. I wish you all well in 2023!
Sincerely,
Kirstyne A. Lange
While Ms. Lange and I have a rocky past due to her inability to be honest, her resignation letter appeared to be genuine. I am curious as to who she referenced regarding ‘a particular candidate who has a history of working for organizations that have been aggressively disrespectful and harmful to some of the most vulnerable in our community’ which fueled her resignation.
It’s odd that such a significant departure was never featured in our local media. Surely, division amongst ‘BIPOC’ community members does not support the narrative of Sonoma County Democrats.
I am concerned regarding the disbursement’s of the Foundation’s funding. Santa Rosa City Schools Trustee Omar Medina is the Foundation’s Program Manager.
As of April 23, 2024, The Elsie Allen High School marching band was forced to raise money after going in debt to replace 30-year-old uniforms
As students suffer, Trustee Medina appears to be enjoying his travels around the world with his alleged mail-order-bride. Who funded Medina’s travels?
