Last Wednesday, the Crossroads Community Services Board of Directors made the decision to retain Dr. Susan Baker, who dismissed four employees of Crossroads in Farmville and violated a state regulation by failing to notify the state’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services about the implementation of changes in the organization’s structure.

With the decision, Baker gets to keep her position under a contract that will be renewed on July 1.

I am sure the board took the necessary time to come to this conclusion and discussed many options regarding the touchy situation.

My question is this: What punishment will Baker face since she violated a state regulation?

Our community deserves to know what actions have been or will be taken against Baker since she broke the rules. And, if the board of directors choose to not give any punishment, what does that say to the public, Crossroads employees and their clients? That the board lets upper management get away with such things? That if lower management breaks state regulations they could possibly lose their jobs?

It seems a bit unfair to let Baker continue in her position without consequences for her actions. The board should want to have leaders in the organization who can lead by example. They should strive to ensure that all of their employees are following regulations and codes. They also should work hard to make sure their employees are treated fairly.

I think that the board should be proactive and make the Crossroads community aware of what actions, if any, will be taken in this situation.

The transparency would not only help board members clean up the mess of a situation they have on their hands with a state regulation being broken, but it would also give hope to their employees, allowing them to understand that Crossroads is a just place to work.

HANNAH DAVIS is sports editor of The Farmville Herald. She is also editor of The Charlotte Gazette and The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch. Her email address is hannah.davis@farmvilleherald.com.