The Last Stand
Comments by Bog
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On Our View: Unite behind school leader
(anonymous)
April 13, 2008 at 8:33 p.m.
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I completely agree that the district needs stability. I can't believe the Pilot hasn't investigated why Cunningham did an about face after accepting the Durango job, following a site visit to California by Durango officials to investigate concerns brought up by the Durango Teachers Union. Is something going to come out that is a surprise, or were there issues that created conflict in her past Supernintendent jobs? Would be nice to know this now, so we are not hiring a new or interim person yet again next year.
By the way, our interim Superintendent has said she will make the final decision on the high school principal June 9, even though she leaves 3 weeks later. That makes a lot of sense, letting someone who is half out the door make a crucial decision for our district. Why not let the new Super make her own decision next year?
On Our View: Knezevich creates unfortunate situation
(anonymous)
March 23, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.
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Amazing, the one-sidedness and inaccuracies in this article. Almost like the board was able to get “their side of the story” directly into an editorial.
This is either a board using personal feelings, or an interim Superintendent who is leaving, deciding to fire a principal, which is causing the staff to be “divided.”
Whether one supports Knezevich or not, there are bigger issues at play here. If he doesn't call a meeting, where he gave the facts and then left (not “encouraging” people to show up at the board meeting on Monday), staff shows up next Tuesday and is stunned to find out their principal was fired Monday night. Funny how there was a memo in staff's mailboxes Wednesday morning from the Superintendent asking for input, only after a staff meeting was called.
He wanted people to hear it from him and not the paper. Yet the paper says he was politicizing the issue.
An interim Superintendent who has been here for six months and is leaving. A school board where three new members have been in place for five months, and has stressed improved communication with staff, setting policy direction and not getting involved in personnel issues. They decide to fire the HS Principal without talking to hardly any HS staff, and Knezevich is accused of being political? The board is creating another PR disaster, just as the previous board with the previous Superintendent.
If Knezevich did something horrible, they would fire him immediately and not give him until June to correct weaknesses. This smells of a setup for the board to use an interim Superintendent to get rid of a Principal who a few board members have past personal issues with and want gone.
As for the petition issue, there was no pressure, and ALL probationary teachers were advised, if they even wanted to sign it, should just write “probationary”, so they also wouldn't have to fear retaliation from the board or Superintendent as well.
Unfortunately, each school board member seems to put their personal agendas and power above their role of setting goals and direction for the school district. Firing a Superintendent and Principal in the middle of a school year will really help the district get quality applicants under its “attract and retain quality employees” goal.
On School officials blasted
(anonymous)
January 24, 2008 at 9:03 a.m.
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Condoguy: Didn't know the school board was the “liberal elite”. Must be nice to just paste a generic comment into numerous posts on different topics.
On Hope fading for use of electronic voting machines in 2008
(anonymous)
January 22, 2008 at 9:12 p.m.
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Thank goodness the county clerk is not a democrat, or everyone would be screaming about incompetence.
On Conservative commentary: Tom Brady is no role model
(anonymous)
January 20, 2008 at 12:08 p.m.
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Why is there a conservative commentary forum every week so unknown part-time residents can recite their beliefs about how conservatives have all of the “correct answers” in life? Vince Lombardi made his players go to mass before games, wow, that is what America is about.
Two kids growing up in Green Bay idolize Brett Favre, that is a surprise. Any adult with any sense knows sports stars should not be our society's main role models.
In my opinion, if “conservative activists” want to promote their agenda, they should pay for an advertisment. Editor, lets show some balance and get this weekly editorial drivel out of the paper and put worthy news in its place.
By the way, I am religious and independent, so no agenda here.
On Finance director seeks extra pay
(anonymous)
November 29, 2007 at 10:24 p.m.
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Hey, I support teachers as much as anyone, but Dale was doing TWO jobs, which included the unusual task of getting temporary Soda Creek ready.
When teachers take on an extra position, like coaching or sponsoring a club, they get extra duty pay.
If you don't think Dale deserves any extra pay for doing the Superintendent's job, then why do you accept without complaint a 10K consultant to find a new one, for 140K a year. ID is right, the schools run just fine regardless of who the super is, because the teachers and school administrators are working directly with students. Superintendent value is way overrated.
Dimwit, this time you are. Mellor took the extra job because the board chose to eliminate the person in the superintendent position, pay 300k for nothing, and you complain he already got a raise? That was for his job as finance director, not to run the entire district at the same time. Sounds like you have a personal issue with him.
On Mike Brumbaugh: Thanks for 'Harvey'
(anonymous)
November 22, 2007 at 9:47 a.m.
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This was a tremendous show, my kids thoroughly enjoyed it. However, it was disappointing to see the low audience turnout. Where are all of the “arts” supporters demanding more school district and community funding? All we've read about in the past year is how the arts are undersupported financially.
Yet if the turnout for this play, of which the high school only does twice a year, is any indication, there does not seem to be much support except to demand more funding. Again, students and Mike, a great show, I am just sad more people didn't get the chance to enjoy it.
On Traffic woes continue at Strawberry Park
(anonymous)
November 17, 2007 at 10:19 a.m.
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I am sick and tired of hiring consultants for every decision in this town. Visit other districts, talk with other schools and implement a solution.
To prevent kids from having to walk in front of traffic, all drop-off has to be along the sidewalk in front of each school, which is very long and could probably handle 20 cars at a time. Eliminate island in the middle and make the left lane for parking, right for drop-off, the opposite of what it is right now.
On Bob De Vries: Survey native-born
(anonymous)
September 23, 2007 at 9:57 a.m.
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I don't really care one way or another about the rec center, but I am sick of the “superiority complex” of people who are born here feeling they are something special.
I have lived here 15 years after moving from Denver, at what point do I become a local? If your biggest accomplishment in life is being born here, perhaps you need to begin achieving on your own rather than gloating about your parents living here when you were born.
The Hermacinski for City Council ad (I don't know her) shows a picture of her great grandmother in Routt County 1924, and her slogan is about being a native. This is why I should vote for her? Perhaps natives should wear t-shirts in addition to the bumper stickers so that we can bow to them on the streets.
I moved to Colorado when I was six, have now lived here 36 years, but I guess that doesn't count since I was born in North Dakota. Let's stick to the issues and people's experience, not just their birthplace.
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On Our View: Expanding education (anonymous)
April 27, 2008 at 9:26 a.m.
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I have lived in Hayden and have heard many ocal people and from Oak Creek state their dislike for anything Steamboat, yet they want Steamboat's money. Sorry, can't have it both ways.
Bcpow's idea makes sense, one superintendent and district administration for the valley, guarantees collaboration and sharing of resources. Let's share personnel, facilities and resources to benefit all of the schools in the Yampa Valley.