EVERETT — Nearly three dozen people, including some of Everett’s best-known business owners, elected officials and community leaders, have sent a letter supporting the majority of Everett School Board members and the school administration.

While not directly naming her, the letter singles out school board member Jessica Olson for criticism.

The letter was written in response to the Aug. 23 brawl that occurred involving Olson, school board member Kristie Dutton and Ed Petersen, school board president. The other four board members objected to Olson’s videotaping of a closed-door session to discuss Superintendent Gary Cohn’s annual performance review.

A heated debate broke out between Olson and the other school board members over the meeting’s ground rules — specifically what should and shouldn’t be discussed behind closed doors.

The debate ended when Olson and Dutton tussled over a document that was a draft of Cohn’s performance review written by Petersen. Dutton lunged across a table to snatch away the copy that had been provided to Olson.

The tussle left Olson with bloodied fingernails and both women with scratches. Police were called to take statements from all five board members.

“Whatever needs to get resolved, get it resolved and let’s get back to the issue of how to educate our kids,” Reid Shockey, who authored the letter, said Tuesday. Shockey is a long-time private planning consultant in Everett.

A portion of Shockey’s letter says: “Actions by the majority of board members are rooted in long-standing policies used by other local governments based on the law and the principles of open government. Those who suggest otherwise likely know this; thus their true intention should raise concern among others in our community.”

Olson has been at odds with her four fellow board members since her election in November 2009. She’s more than once argued that the board too often seeks to privately discuss matters that legally don’t meet the standard for executive sessions.

In a statement Tuesday evening, Olson said: “These community members took the time and effort to write this letter. In it, they communicate their long-held support for the leadership in this district.

“Whether they are my supporters or not, they are my constituents, and it is my responsibility to thoughtfully consider their concerns. It is my hope that they will be open to the same kind of thoughtful examination of the facts and issues. I would welcome the opportunity to sit and talk with them.”

Others who joined Shockey in signing the letter included businessmen Buzz Rodland and Andy Skotdal; Everett City Council members Drew Nielsen, Shannon Affholter and Paul Roberts (who also is a former school board member); Snohomish County Councilman Brian Sullivan; and Ted Wenta, a vice president of the YMCA of Snohomish County. Also among the 34 signatories is Connie Niva, a former city councilwoman who later served on the Port of Everett Commission, the state Transportation Commission and is now on the Board of Regents for Washington State University.

The letter’s aim was to encourage the board to fix its problems.

“I think there’s a responsibility on everyone’s part to make sure things don’t escalate to this level again,” Shockey said.

Rodland was more directly critical of Olson. “It’s about one person being negative,” he said. “I don’t think The Herald or the media have reported how intensively negative this person is.

“They have a very big problem” he said of the school board. “I don’t have the answer to how they can solve this problem. But I emphasize … that it’s brought the school board to its knees because of this obstacle.”

Rodland’s wife, Carol Rodland, worked as a teacher in the Everett School District for 28 years.

Wenta, the YMCA administrator, called the school board fracas demoralizing.

“When … you see the lack of civility in the discourse … it takes your breath away,” he said.

“To openly taunt people, to leak stories, to post on Facebook confidential information, makes it very difficult to run a $180 million business serving more than 18,000 students.” Wenta said.

Olson often uses her Facebook page to comment on pending school board actions. She has sometimes posted documents reviewed in executive session or considered by district officials to contain confidential information.

Olson said she feels that the materials she has provided could and should be discussed in open public meetings.

Sullivan, the Snohomish County Council member, said he decided to sign the letter after viewing the video of the Aug. 23 executive session meltdown.

Sullivan noted that he has been involved in politics for 30 years, including a prior stint from 1990 to 1997 as Mukilteo’s mayor. He said all members of the school board need to work together.

“We all need to learn how to disagree,” he said. “I’ve never in my career witnessed physical contact in this business.”

Sullivan said that as a state legislator, he supported a proposed bill that called for taping of executive sessions, so there would be a record of exactly what was said and what topics were discussed.

The bill called for the records to be kept confidential and would only be disclosed with approval from a judge.

City and county government organization “did a good job of killing it,” he said.

Although Shockey’s letter does not mention Olson by name, Sullivan agreed the correspondence is aimed at her conduct.

“I don’t want to point the finger at anybody,” Sullivan said. “I want the Everett School Board to work in a civil fashion.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.