Lynette Lochausen: Simms was bully

Lynette Lochausen

Sunday, June 10, 2007

The DeVincentis e-mails

Steamboat Springs — I am not a personal friend of Dr. John Devincentis, but I can no longer be quiet while the group calling itself "Save Our Schools" does everything in its power to discredit him. I worked as a high school counselor in Steamboat Springs from 1986 to 2001, time that afforded me a chance to closely observe some of the motivation for the anger and bitterness in the private e-mail conversations that are behind the current recall effort.

During her term as Superintendent of Steamboat Springs School District, Ms. Simms behaved as if "the end justified the means," bullying if "making nice" didn't work to achieve her goals. I can give numerous examples of her bullying students, faculty members and administrators. When DeVincentis reminded Ms. Simms that she was lying, she was furious. In retaliation, she attacked the area about which he was most passionate : his job performance. She did not, however, count on the backing that Dr. D enjoyed from parents and teachers at his school, so her efforts actually backfired. Finally, after significant community pressure, she announced that she had accepted a similar position in Mercer Island, Wash.

I wish I had known that she would be leaving. I left the school district five years before retirement eligibility out of disgust for Ms. Simm's leadership behavior. I respect Dr. D for refusing to go quietly as I did, for he was the only principal left who was not hired by her. She was quick to remind administrators "who buttered their bread," as she put it.

In recent newspaper stories, the same former school board members who supported Ms. Simms without question now complain that Dr. Devincentis kept them from efficiently functioning as a board with his frequent questioning and calls for accountability. Considering what is at stake, the education of our most valuable assets, our children, I appreciate questioning. I do not know Superintendent Howell, but if she shares the same attitudes and behaviors as her predecessor, our community should be worried.

Since Pat Gleason has resigned, the current board is not asking for Dr. D's resignation. I absolutely applaud this board for asking hard questions and stepping up to the position that I think all boards should take: holding people accountable, requesting appropriate details and, overall, taking an active role in shaping the district. It's a much different approach than any other board has taken, and I think the "old guard" resents anyone sticking his or her nose where no nose has gone before! As the complexion of our community and education changes, so must the board move from a "yes man" position to a mature, working group that will help this district be fully functional in the times to come. This is not the '50s, and no one should expect that outdated model for school boards to work in this century! The current school board, instead, is working diligently to get on with the work for which they were elected.

My plea to the community is that it does not allow the S.O.S. group to draw it into supporting their agenda. Let John Devincentis finish out this board term and work with the other board members for quality education as he has done for years. I respect him as a human being who, like all of us, is capable of both mistakes and excellence. Please let's put an end to the meanness and pettiness. Continuance of this issue (the recall) will only detract from the quality of education our students receive.

Lynette Lochausen

More like this story

Comments

stmbtprof 5 years, 11 months ago

well written-this is voice of reason

0

Sunspot 5 years, 11 months ago

Simms fired the Mercer Island guy in front of his second grade class. Maybe that is why the guy didn't like Cindy. It was a parent group and the teachers union who stood up to her and got him reinstated. Sound familiar?

Here is the link

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/paynter/174911_paynter26.html?searchpagefrom=1&searchdiff=1

0

sarakg 5 years, 11 months ago

Actually, the article doesn't mention kids being in the room at the time, just that she delivered the letter to him in his classroom. And I'm not entirely convinced that a letter of non-renewal is equivalent to firing someone, especially considering McGowan's book about the parents of his class, which reflected poorly on his relationships and clearly demonstrated his inability to cope with the demands of his job.

0

mom 5 years, 11 months ago

Lynette, thanks for your letter.

0

Sunspot 5 years, 11 months ago

Knowing Simms the kids were in the classroom at the time. Mary Lindquist, president of the Mercer Island teachers union, said it was the same thing as being fired. McGowan's book was about the eccentric super rich parents who live on Mercer Island. When the teachers union and parents got him non-non-renewed that probably irked Simms. She was most likely on a mission to get rid of him. Shortly after that is when the e-mails began. And who better for McGowan to talk to than the last guy Simms tried to get rid of. Simms is the root of the whole e-mail scandal.

More http://www.kimberlyswygert.com/archives/002172.html

0

JQPUBLIC 5 years, 11 months ago

Question... why is non-renewed the same as being fired when it involves school employees but it is just non-renewed (not fired) when it involved the new sheriff?

"Knowing Simms the kids were in the classroom at the time"... and... "She was most likely on a mission to get rid of him"... aren't we starting our own vindictive rumors now?

He said/she said.. He did/she did... moral/immoral... the democratic process taking place will put an end to it and the people will truly decide whether D should finish his term or not.

0

Matthew Stoddard 5 years, 11 months ago

Non-renewal is the same as being fired. It's just a way of having an employee finish a work period instead of them leaving as soon as you fire them. Here in Steamboat, we call that seasonal workers. Can't call it that when it's a contracted position that usually isn't a "work as * until something better comes along" position. Teaching isn't a position you get into until something better comes along.

As far as for the sheriff- to me it's the same thing, except the he's an elected official. Voting in/out is a sheriff's contract.

0

stillinsteamboat 5 years, 11 months ago

Thank you for such a beautifully written commentary on this mess started by Pat Gleason,Tami Havener..... Should we bring up some of the reasons the above mentioned board members should have resigned their post sooner than they did? They were very supportive of kids and parents unless the parent ruffeled the feathers of Donna Howell or her staff. How much did they really help the kids of this district? Maybe we should be delving into their past. I think it could be interesting.

0

stillinsteamboat 5 years, 11 months ago

If you'd like to talk to Pat about the recall you can find him at the Double ZZ every afternoon.

0

Requires free registration

Posting comments requires a free account and verification.