April 6, 2007
I have heard rumors of these e-mails for nearly a year. I first heard about them on May 16, 2006, the day after Strawberry Park teacher Mike Johnson read a letter critical of Donna Howell at a May 15 School Board meeting. Johnson was reading on behalf of DeVincentis, who authored the letter.
The following week, Tom Miller-Freutel apologized for DeVincentis' behavior. I called DeVincentis to get a response. During our phone conversation, DeVincentis told me he had been communicating with people in Mercer Island about Cyndy. I thought that inappropriate, but I did not know the extent of what he meant by that statement and it was unrelated to the reason for the phone call.
These e-mail copies arrived at our office more than a week ago. They were addressed to our General Manager, Suzanne Schlicht. She gave them to me.
I felt confident, based on what I knew and what DeVincentis told me, that they were real and accurate. We verified the e-mails with multiple sources before publication. Those sources did not wish to be identified, making it necessary to check the e-mails again and again with more sources. We contacted Simms, who had been made aware of them. McGowan admitted to them.
Finally, I had a conversation with DeVincentis late Thursday afternoon. DeVincentis never looked at the e-mails we had, but our discussion removed any lingering doubts I had about their authenticity.
Some have asked why these are relevant now. Here is how I would answer:
1) It is clear that DeVincentis is a candidate for the School Board at the time he is sending the e-mails. He states that multiple times.
2) He chooses to use his school district computer and e-mail account, despite school district policies warning him that they can be made public and a warning from McGowan that they could come to light.
3) The e-mails - which cover 10 months - demonstrate a private bitterness and anger in a public official that the public largely has not seen. Had the public been aware of these e-mails, it might have had an impact on the 2005 election. I wish we had them earlier, but that does not change their relevance now.
4) The e-mails clarify DeVincentis' agenda as he runs for the School Board. Today, as DeVincentis comes after another superintendent, the public deserves to know how he chose to handle the last battle with a superintendent.
5) DeVincentis is, by his own choices, a significant public figure. His e-mails were written when he was an elementary principal and after he had formed the decision to pursue a seat on the School Board. He is now a School Board member and his comments are relevant to current news involving the School Board.
These e-mails likely would not be newsworthy if they had been sent by, for example, a teacher to another teacher. Of course, had that been the case, they likely never would have ended up in our hands.
I understand there are differing viewpoints on how we handled this. I have already received letters critical of the newspaper, and I will publish them promptly. I certainly welcome more feedback.
Comments
Scott Stanford 6 years ago
JustAsking:
Spring Break has put the brakes on any new developments in the story. There are two things that we will try to follow:
1) The completion and results of the e-mail investigation. 2) Developments in a recall effort, if there is one.
beentheredonethat 6 years, 1 month ago
Thank you for injecting facts and truth into this situation. I feel sympathy for Donna Howell and hope there is way for her to persevere against this man "and his board."
kt 6 years, 1 month ago
Very Disappointed in the Steamboat Pilot & Today!! I think this was handled very inappropriately, but I don't think this will be the last time; the paper seems to handle many situations improperly.
I am so sorry our kids had to see this mornings paper in their schools.! Dr. DeVincentis has served this community for over 20 years in many different facets. Maybe, JUST maybe, he has seen something during his years on the School Board, which I haven't seen, isn't that why 70% of the voters trusted him to be in this position? Yes! It was his experience, and concern for our kids! Maybe he knows more than the emails are telling.
I can't tell you how many times I have run into him in the halls of Soda Creek, just checking in on things!. I appreciate what he has done for my kids, and our school district! I wish more people (like one of the 11,000 someone mentioned!) had the time and experience to step up and take on a thankless position like this. I know I don't have the time or experience! DOES SCOTT STANFORD? Maybe he could be a little more productive on a School Board, instead of dragging down the people who are willing to provide their time and expertise! I am not sure how this will impact our district, but I will be very disillusioned, if we lose Dr. D. over this. Dr. D. may have said some inappropriate things, but I do not want to seem him resign or released.
portagetheyampa 6 years, 1 month ago
Scott,
You are running a newpaper and your job is to print the news. "No news is good news" really means "There isn't much good news!" And, right now there certainly isn't much good news as far as our school district is concerned. You have an obligation to print that and I appreciate you having done it.
From what you say in your blog, above, you took the necessary and appropriate steps to verify the authenticity of the emails. I commend you for that. Every email is or will be "public informaion" and we, as the authors, better accept that and own up to what we have written. NO whining about "you (Pilot)shouldn't have printed those emails."
As a person who has known John d., personally and professionally, for many years, I am very astonished and certainly saddened to see this side of him. I find that anger, bitterness and the need for revenge are physically and emotionally draining for the person who harbors these types of feelings. John is not a person I could vote for, again, as a school board member.
I hope our communty can pull together for the benefit of our children who need our attention as we support their public education.
Watcher 6 years, 1 month ago
Thanks for letting the community know of this situation. I do not feel sorry for Dr. D. He brought this on himself by his own action. This is a natural consequence, which is one of the lessons that our children must learn. It seems Dr. D needs to grow up.
As far as some thinking their children should not see this on the front page of the paper, what a lot of bunk. Just what do they think they are teaching their children? I always taught my kids that both adults and children must earn respect. I also taught them that respect could also be lost based upon one's behavior. Dr. D has lost the respect of most in this community and should resign.
dodobird 6 years, 1 month ago
I'm always amazed how people could comment of others' opinions in such an umbrella statement : "Dr. D has lost the respect of most in this community and should resign."
How would one define "most?" and what's the margin of error?
I only speak for myself and I believe whatever Dr. D decides (to resign or stay) is because it's what he believes is best for the community, and most importantly for the kids of this community.
forsteamboatkids 6 years, 1 month ago
Thank you Scott for letting the public in on what 30% of our voting community already knew and what 70% failed to see through this man's deception.
okie 6 years, 1 month ago
Thank you Scott, As one who has witnessed Dr. D's wrath as a parent of 2 children and as an employee of the school district, I am thrilled that the truth has finally come out. It's to bad he couldn't have been exposed sooner. He has caused damage to children, the school district, and the community for as long as he has been here and has fooled a lot of people (70%). He can not be defended anymore. Keep exposing the truth, that is the only way things will change. It must be hard to continually take the critisism of the community, but you are doing and have done the right thing. Keep up the good work.
steamboatsconscience 6 years, 1 month ago
Scott Reveal your anonymous source that provided these e mails, NOW! The community deserves to know. Freedom of Information for ALL, not a select few.
Watcher 6 years, 1 month ago
dodobird, If he has not lost the respect of 'most' (51%) of the community by now, I have serious doubts about the integrity of the community. I truly believe he has must resign.
JustSomeJoe 6 years, 1 month ago
Scott - I appreciate your response regarding the sourcing of the emails and why you reported on them. I think you did the right thing. I strongly suggest you use some portion of your blog entry as Sunday's editorial to make more of the Steamboat community aware of how these emails came to light, and why they are relevant. Keep up the good job.
Gil Ramirez 6 years, 1 month ago
It is interesting to see the emails that personally attack the messenger. Ultimately, this issue will be resolved when people focus on the content of the emails and the man. Is it acceptable to our community for a man that harbors such vitriol to serve in a position of leadership? Regardless of John's contributions to our community in the past, he should do the right thing and resign. Gil Ramirez
JQPUBLIC 6 years, 1 month ago
Scott, I don't see how you could have handled this any differently unless you were willing to sweep it under the rug. The voters need to be aware of the kind of man they put in office. Had you refrained from exposing this man for what he is, the district would probably have lost a few more highly trained educators. Thanks for taking the heat on this one.
JustAsking 6 years ago
What's the status on this story? Recall? Last of his "public meetings?"
Requires free registration
Posting comments requires a free account and verification.
Or login with:
OpenID