The controversy surrounding the Little Rock superintendent now extends to other administrators after the delivery of what some are calling a threatening letter.

It arrived at employees homes late Friday night and was signed by the president of the school board.

Some board members say they knew about this letter from Dr. Katherine Mitchell while others were shocked to hear 9 administrators received a letter regarding the stability of their jobs.

Either way, some board members claim this against their policy and uncalled for.

  "I knew about the letter. I had spoken briefly with Dr. Mitchell," explains board member Robert Daugherty.

  "I don't know which other members knew about this, but had absolutely no knowledge of it," admits board member Baker Kurrus.

It's the letter addressed to several Little Rock school administrators that has some board members and teachers up in arms.

Board members are speaking out. Those KARK 4 News spoke with Saturday were only available to talk by phone, but were more than willing to give their opinion.

Larry Berkley told KARK 4 News, "I'm shocked. Its' never been discussed. I never talked with anybody about this. The code of conduct for the board of education says the president only speaks on behalf of the board after action taken by the board."

At the center of the controversial letter is whether or not it threatens certain employees.

In the letter signed by board president Dr. Mitchell she writes, "This letter is to inform you that because the LRSD Board voted to proceed with action to suspend the current superintendent, your administrative position with the LRSD, reporting directly to that superintendent, may change during the next contract year should a new superintendent be selected. Persons at your level of employment serve at the pleasure of the superintendent. We are desirous of providing the new superintendent, should one be forthcoming, with the same options afforded Dr. Brooks and all other superintendents hired by the district.

To insure the stability of the district during this time, we ask that you refrain from taking any action that would undermine the charges against Dr. Brooks or otherwise harm the LRSD.

If you disagree with this action, you may request a hearing before the board to explain your position. Your request should be made in writing within 30 days and be sent to me as Board President by certified mail."

"The letter takes no action. The letter does not say that the people will not have a job. The letter simply states that their contract may not be renewed under the same conditions as it was the previous year," argues Daugherty.

"Some (administrators) apparently got it hand delivered to their door at 11 last (Friday) night. It's a threatening letter. The people that got it are threatened by it. If you ask them that question, that's what they'll tell you," explains Kurrus.

And like the entire debate surrounding the superintendent's job, board members disagree on this issue, saying this letter violates board policy and is premature.

"The letter has to go out before May 1. If any changes are to be made within that year, the following year. The letter of that type has to go out before May 1," explaind Daugherty.

   "Apparently our policies mean nothing, our procedures mean nothing - that bodes poorly for our school district," argues Kurrus. 
  KARK 4 News spoke with Dr. Mitchell several times by phone Saturday evening and at one point she was coming to our studios for an interview, but later her son called to tell us she could not make it because she in a conference. However, she did tell us her letter was not meant to be threatening, but a notice of what could come.