Archive for Thursday, June 19, 2008
School Board finds no violations in Knezevich contract decision
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Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs School Board members decided Wednesday that no ethical violations occurred in the ouster of high school Principal Mike Knezevich.
In a special meeting facilitated by Jim Weigel, a training consultant with the Colorado Association of School Boards, the board reviewed its policies regarding conflicts of interest and made plans for how to address similar situations in the future.
At the June 9 meeting, when the board voted 3-2 to not renew the contract for Knezevich, board member John DeVincentis accused fellow board member Laura Anderson of having a conflict of interest.
DeVincentis' actions, including making public accusations and yelling obscenities after the meeting, also were questioned by members of the audience at Centennial Hall.
On Wednesday, DeVincentis clarified that he thought Anderson was in conflict by meeting with parents critical of Knezevich and by having a son in the high school.
DeVincentis said he was unsure whether it was appropriate to make the accusations in public, but because the board did not return to a closed session as planned, he felt he had to make the accusations in public. The board had planned to consider Knezevich's contract in closed session, but Knezevich requested that the meeting stay open.
"I assumed that if I spoke out of turn someone would have stopped me," DeVincentis said. "I hesitated, nobody said anything, so I continued."
Weigel advised DeVincentis to not rely on anyone else to monitor his actions.
The board discussed which policy Anderson may have violated and decided there was no conflict from either statement, regardless of whether Anderson met with the parents.
When Anderson questioned whether DeVincentis was submitting a letter to an ethics committee for review, as he stated at the meeting, DeVincentis said he would not pursue the complaint.
"Why would I (make objections) after this discussion? If we had this discussion that night, it would have ended right there," he said.
A chance to improve
Weigel suggested the board view future discussions as a matter of policy instead of emotion. Because the board has delegated authority in many matters to the superintendent, it does not need to assess the merits of each decision, only whether it is reasonable, he said.
Interim Superintendent Sandra Smyser recommended earlier this month that Knezevich's contract not be renewed.
DeVincentis also raised questions about the policy and procedure of Smyser's recommendation during the June 9 meeting. For future superintendent recommendations, Weigel suggested the superintendent also submit "monitoring assurances" to show the proper procedure was followed.
Incoming Superintendent Shalee Cunningham, who begins work July 10, said she met with Weigel on Wednesday to learn about the policy governance model the district uses.
"When I present something to the board for approval, it's my job to show how it's aligned with policy," she said at a reception at the Steamboat Smokehouse, held to introduce her to the public. "I've always done this, it's just not been as well thought out."
During the afternoon meeting with the School Board, Weigel also suggested the board discuss possible conflicts earlier in its procedures, especially if the topic at hand is likely to bring high emotions.
"You have to do that when it comes to personnel (issues) because it is automatically emotional," Weigel said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's good this happened. Now you have a chance to do better."
School Board President Robin Crossan said she will guide the board to discuss potential conflicts beforehand.
"We have to be more aware and open with each other," she said. "Get it all out on the table up front and see if there is a conflict here, and move on."
- To reach Zach Fridell, call 871-4028
or e-mail zfridell@steamboatpilot.com
Comments
shadow (anonymous) says...
Dr. D "making public accusations & shouting obscenities" nice way for a Board Member to conduct himself. Has he forgotten the only reason he wasn't recalled was because some petition signers entered incorrect address info, it wasn't for lack of support.
I have greater respect for former members that choose to disassociate themselves from the board prior to the sideshows.
Dr. D behaves more immaturely than the students.
June 19, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
80488mom (anonymous) says...
I truly believe that Dr. D is passionate about our school district and our students. We all get frustrated at times. I'm sure it becomes overwhelming. Unfortunately in this town you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Have you ever spoken with Dr. D. about student issues? I have and I think he's right on the mark. So what if he appears a bit abrasive or unpolished. Doesn't bother me. I know where his heart is and it's with the students of this community.
June 19, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
betamikeiski (anonymous) says...
80488 mom is right on. Dr D has nothing but the interest of the kids at heart. Remember, 99% of all your thoughts and opinions of him start with our illustrious newspapers negative, slanderous comments regarding him. This paper, when it has an ax to grind, whether the reason is personal or political, is a vicious, malicious instrument of divisiveness. Put yourselves above it and get to know the man before you formulate your opinions of him based on the biased writing of someone else. He has dedicated himself to making the schools better. Is he perfect?, of course not, but who is and who else is willing to fight the battles, the personal attacks and the slanderous comments he has endured?
June 19, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
80488mom (anonymous) says...
coloradobubu - Dr. D isn't the Dali Lama. He's no Jesus Christ. What moral and ethical transgressions fire your hatred? Did he sleep with your wife? Steal from your wallet? Set your house on fire? Sell your children dope? Once again, he may be a bit unpolished but he is an accomplished educator and a successful scholar who has the best interests of the children in this district at heart.
Personally I believe you can fix a lot of things but you can't fix stupid.I won't blame the man for trying. Why does he torture himself? Perhaps because as CONfucius said, "Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage."
A lesser man would have retreated ....perhaps to the safety of an anonymous webpage where he could spew his hatreds and animosities and try to CONvolute the truth to satisfy his own personal agenda.
June 20, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
quester (anonymous) says...
colorado pu: To echo what 80488mom says above, what is your personal agenda in doing anything you can to tear down the schools? Taking pieces of information and weaving it into a spider web of untruths that fits your hateful purpose. It makes us wonder if you ever had anything but your own interests at heart. As BowWow1 wrote previously "you sound like you are the Ex Ex superintendent or one of her relatives/ friends ???? who just can't get over her being bounced by the past BOE... Get over it, do your job and help find the new teachers in our district some affordable housing." http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/20... Now there's something to think about...
Get some help.
June 20, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
elk2 (anonymous) says...
coloradobu, just what is the lesson you are teaching our children? Is it hatred? I too will take John D. over the rest any day. He sticks by his convictions and he doesn't do it hiding behind a computer screen.
June 21, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
raver (anonymous) says...
So who is the new principal?Anyone know?
June 20, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
betamikeiski (anonymous) says...
Those are some great follow-up comments. I say nobody is perfect and if you think you can do the job better(which seems obvious), than by all means, step up to the plate and get yourself involved. Dr. D is not perfect-none of us are- yet he does put all of his heart into it and after all, what in the world is wrong with bringing a little passion to the job. Seriously, this is Steamboat and and a whole lot of passion and scrappiness is what has built this town! Some times you gotta watch what you wish for. I'll take Dr. D over most others in his field any day. Again, he puts his heart and soul into it and if so many think they can do it better, well then awesome, the candidate pool should be absolutely huge this year!
June 20, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
quester (anonymous) says...
colorado pu: There you go again, spinning another spider web of one-sided facts. As you state: "the ends justify the means": it's OK when you are having trouble with someone to sneak into their office after hours (Watergate style), download the contents of their computer, search for incriminating material, distribute copies of the emails to public officials willing to hand them over to be published, ETC>>
As you say "Who is the convict and who is the victim?" Maybe it's not as simple as your spinning would lead us to believe. DO tell us about ethics from YOUR "moral compass"! NOT! You are leaving out the role of some key players. Why? You're not willing to face the music of your own symphony.
Yeah, there were a whole list of not so pretty participants in the whole mess. By rerunning the whole thing are you helping...or is your purpose only centered around HATE and revenge????
June 21, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...
In a time when this countries public education is under some scary changes due to funding, demands, and mandates, it's hard enough without having administrative affairs that seem to reflect the network soap operas. Yes, each show has a villain and a hero. Each scene is dramatized with a twisted outcome nobody expects however, it keeps people on the edge of their seats till the next episode. Public education has become the preverbal "rats nest" of parent politics mixed with philosophical leaders that clash like the titans of old. It takes a special person to endure that environment, much less be competently functional at it. Yes, it may seem like a circus with the juggling act they have to perform to keep balance. Until the shoes are worn by the individuals who like to mock or criticize the system, it is fair to say: walk a mile in their shoes and don't let anyone carry your load! I'm sure the story would be different from both cynic and critic because, it is so easy to sit behind our computer camouflage and type things in severe judgment while remaining save from the same scrutiny these people endure face to face, not to mention in this blog or our newspaper! Oooh-Rah Semper-Fi! Have a good day!
June 21, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
quester (anonymous) says...
Good lessons, pu. You should go into education. Or if that doesn't work out, affordable housing.
June 21, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steamboatmom1 (anonymous) says...
I guess it's easy to bash someone you never dealt with. I have had many dealings with Dr. D. I am still in support of him. He's human he's going to make mistakes along the way. Yet when ever it came down to helping my children through difficult times he was and still is very supportive to help them succeed. When ever everyone else in the school district was going to give up on my children it was Dr. D. that was there to help find a solution to the problem. Thank you Dr. D. for being there for my children in there time of need. So when he says he cares I know for a fact that He truly does cares. He may not always be as professional as every one wants him to be, but, he is human. And just like the rest of us, he too may loose his cool at times and sometimes not at the right moment. o.k. hasn't we all done this at times: Before we bash someone else's lives why don't we take a good look at our own lives first and see the errors in our own first! Have a beautiful day!
June 21, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beagle (anonymous) says...
Colorado PU - What is this, your third or fourth reincarnation? I see there's a whole new group of people who didn't have too much trouble sniffing you out. I'd have to agree with quester, elk2, and the moms. You really do need serious help! It's been a year now, dude. Get over it or you're going to rot inside!
June 21, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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