Actually, the Board of Education does have to act within the law (of course!), and reason, and the public's best interest, and the students' best interest and the faculty's best interest ... because they are elected officials, and they have to face the voters. That is how democracy works.
For those of us not involved on a day-to-day basis with the inner workings of the school district, it is easy to let emotions rule our judgement. MikeK was, and is, a thoughtful, generous, and dedicated educator. He always had the best interests of students at heart. That being said, over the years, his actions also angered many people. The fact that a majority of the Board members (that silly democratic system again!) voted not to renew Mike's contract speaks for itself.
I understand that there are insinuations being made that Laura Anderson had an "agenda" to remove Mike. The same claim could be made that John DeVincentis had an "agenda" to keep Mike on, regardless of any evidence suggesting that his removal might be better for the school. Both are ridiculous accusations -- Laura and John both clearly had opinions in the matter, but both are also intelligent people, who take the time to consider carefully before they vote on issues that will affect many, many people.
Personally, I'm sad to see Mike go, as I feel his positive traits outweigh his negative traits. However, I respect the majority decision of our Board of Education, a body which I feel is sincere in its desire to serve our community.
Because many of Steamboat's workers live in Hayden and Oak Creek, but shop in Steamboat, it does make sense that they should benefit somewhat from the 1/2 cent sales tax. However, to show that they are not demanding a hand-out from Steamboat taxpayers, those cities should enact 1/2 cent sales taxes of their own as well. If it is true that their residents do the majority of their shopping in Steamboat, then their actual tax burden will not change substantially -- after all, it's a sales tax, so you only pay it when you buy something.
A decision on whether or not to remove MikeK as prinicipal of SSHS is a complex one. On the one hand, he is a highly dedicated education professional, who truly has what he considers to be the best interests of students at heart. He is a tireless supporter of students' academic and extra-curricular activities. Mike is an intelligent and likeable person. Like all principals, he is faced with making decisions that will inevitably please some, and anger others.
That being said, MikeK has strong opinions about how his school should be run, and is generally rather inflexible in the exercise of those opinions. His inflexibility has created some resentment from teachers. Anecdotal evidence suggests that he is less supportive of academic and performing arts-related activities than he is of sports activities. He is philosophically opposed to programs that separate gifted, talented and high-ability academic learners from other students. All of these issues need to be taken into consideration when a decision is made on MikeK's continued tenure as SSHS principal.
Bolter - thanks for your valuable info on the recall process. Do you know if the recall election must coincide with the regular November elections? It was my understanding that the deadline to have things put on the November ballot has already passed. Also, is there a specific format required for the recall petition, or can we simply draft up our own petition?
Neither Roesnik nor St James are up for re-election. I believe what is required is a formal recall election, which I believe begins with a recall petition. So, again, does anyone have any useful advice, or a URL that I could go to, to find out how we can actually effect some change in our DA's office?
Like most people in Steamboat, I am delighted that Mr. Charle and Mr. Siller have been released. Over the last fews days, people from all sides of the political spectrum in our town have expressed their dismay and outrage over the unjust manner in which these gentlemen have been dealt with.
On behalf of our town, I also thank Mr. Charle and Mr. Siller for their remarkable tolerance, and their willingness to visit us again, despite everything that has happened to them. Like them, I would urge people not to boycott Steamboat, because, trust me, the only losers in that would be the "little guys".
Now, to business -- does anyone out there know what the actual process is to get a recall election on the ballot? Please -- no crazy rants -- just simple and clear instructions on how a group of concerned citizens goes about such a process. Do we circulate petitions? Is there a specific format for the petition? How many signatures are needed? Does the recall election have to coincide with the standard November ballot? Thanks for any advice.
Knezevich ousted
Dear SilverSpoon -
Actually, the Board of Education does have to act within the law (of course!), and reason, and the public's best interest, and the students' best interest and the faculty's best interest ... because they are elected officials, and they have to face the voters. That is how democracy works.
For those of us not involved on a day-to-day basis with the inner workings of the school district, it is easy to let emotions rule our judgement. MikeK was, and is, a thoughtful, generous, and dedicated educator. He always had the best interests of students at heart. That being said, over the years, his actions also angered many people. The fact that a majority of the Board members (that silly democratic system again!) voted not to renew Mike's contract speaks for itself.
I understand that there are insinuations being made that Laura Anderson had an "agenda" to remove Mike. The same claim could be made that John DeVincentis had an "agenda" to keep Mike on, regardless of any evidence suggesting that his removal might be better for the school. Both are ridiculous accusations -- Laura and John both clearly had opinions in the matter, but both are also intelligent people, who take the time to consider carefully before they vote on issues that will affect many, many people.
Personally, I'm sad to see Mike go, as I feel his positive traits outweigh his negative traits. However, I respect the majority decision of our Board of Education, a body which I feel is sincere in its desire to serve our community.
June 10, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Should some of the city's revenues from the half-cent sales tax for education be shared with Hayden and South Routt school districts?
Because many of Steamboat's workers live in Hayden and Oak Creek, but shop in Steamboat, it does make sense that they should benefit somewhat from the 1/2 cent sales tax. However, to show that they are not demanding a hand-out from Steamboat taxpayers, those cities should enact 1/2 cent sales taxes of their own as well. If it is true that their residents do the majority of their shopping in Steamboat, then their actual tax burden will not change substantially -- after all, it's a sales tax, so you only pay it when you buy something.
April 2, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Knezevich's renewal uncertain
A decision on whether or not to remove MikeK as prinicipal of SSHS is a complex one. On the one hand, he is a highly dedicated education professional, who truly has what he considers to be the best interests of students at heart. He is a tireless supporter of students' academic and extra-curricular activities. Mike is an intelligent and likeable person. Like all principals, he is faced with making decisions that will inevitably please some, and anger others.
That being said, MikeK has strong opinions about how his school should be run, and is generally rather inflexible in the exercise of those opinions. His inflexibility has created some resentment from teachers. Anecdotal evidence suggests that he is less supportive of academic and performing arts-related activities than he is of sports activities. He is philosophically opposed to programs that separate gifted, talented and high-ability academic learners from other students. All of these issues need to be taken into consideration when a decision is made on MikeK's continued tenure as SSHS principal.
March 20, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charle and Siller released
Bolter - thanks for your valuable info on the recall process. Do you know if the recall election must coincide with the regular November elections? It was my understanding that the deadline to have things put on the November ballot has already passed. Also, is there a specific format required for the recall petition, or can we simply draft up our own petition?
September 7, 2006 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charle and Siller released
Neither Roesnik nor St James are up for re-election. I believe what is required is a formal recall election, which I believe begins with a recall petition. So, again, does anyone have any useful advice, or a URL that I could go to, to find out how we can actually effect some change in our DA's office?
September 7, 2006 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charle and Siller released
Like most people in Steamboat, I am delighted that Mr. Charle and Mr. Siller have been released. Over the last fews days, people from all sides of the political spectrum in our town have expressed their dismay and outrage over the unjust manner in which these gentlemen have been dealt with.
On behalf of our town, I also thank Mr. Charle and Mr. Siller for their remarkable tolerance, and their willingness to visit us again, despite everything that has happened to them. Like them, I would urge people not to boycott Steamboat, because, trust me, the only losers in that would be the "little guys".
Now, to business -- does anyone out there know what the actual process is to get a recall election on the ballot? Please -- no crazy rants -- just simple and clear instructions on how a group of concerned citizens goes about such a process. Do we circulate petitions? Is there a specific format for the petition? How many signatures are needed? Does the recall election have to coincide with the standard November ballot? Thanks for any advice.
A Mom From Steamboat
September 6, 2006 at 9:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )