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Crowd is upset by boardís choice for LHS principal
Posted 4/14/00 by Laura Adelmann For nearly two hours April 11, the Lakeville School Board heard emotional testimony from those most affected by the hiring of the Lakeville High School principal. LHS teachers, parents, staff and students overflowed the cramped School Board room, waiting hours for the agenda item to be addressed. Every speaker pleaded for the job to be given to Interim Principal Jill Johnson. But instead, the board voted for Superintendent Jim Bauckís recommendation and hired Julia Espe, a high school principal in Austin. Only Board Member Holly Dahlís vote was swayed by the crowdís comments. Citing the collective pleas of the many who had spoken, Dahl said she was no longer certain of her decision and abstained from the vote. Her comments drew applause and cries of ìThank you, Hollyî from the frustrated supporters, many of whom were sitting on the floor and standing along walls throughout most of the five-hour meeting. The overflow of people eventually reached outside the building doors and to the street. Before comments were taken, Bauck explained that the hiring decision was made after extensive interviews, site visits and input from the selection committee, which included LHS staff members. One of those members, LHS Principalís Secretary Jean Rudiger, drew gasps from the crowd with her first comments. ìThe original interview team picked the top two candidates and Ms. Espe was not one of the top two. She was added after her interview with Dr. Bauck and Mrs. Knudsen,î Rudiger said. LHS Senior Katie Haskins said the news of the recommendation came as a shock to the student body. She said they learned of the situation during a meeting with three School Board members at the school late afternoon Monday. LHS Resources Officer Tim Knutson later said many students said they didnít feel their opinions were listened to at that time. Haskins said that more students would have been at the School Board meeting if they had known of the recommendation earlier. To prove her point, she presented a petition signed by 445 students in favor of Johnson for principal. Speakers complained about the lack of seating, the short notice regarding the recommendation and timing of the meeting. ìMy biggest frustration with it,î said Haskins, ìwas that staff, along with parents, were occupied during this evening with parent/teacher conferences.î Ken Williams, LHS teacher and principal search committee member, worried about the precedent the action sets. ìIf policy is that we are not going to hire people from inside our district, Iím very concerned about Lakevilleís best and brightest people leaving our district,î he said. Teacher Sally Winecke brought four pages of signatures from LHS staff supporting Johnson. She said Bauckís choice did not support the process and read from an attached letter: ìThe decision for the appointment of the high school principal is not supported by our staff. Ö We ask that this decision reflect the voices that it will affect the most, the faculty, the students and the community of Lakeville.î Many students spoke of particular instances in which Johnson had gone out of her way to help them. She was credited for frequently visiting students who were hospitalized, making sure students received tutoring and helping many deal with the deaths of classmates. One student even said Johnson helped to lead her out of a suicidal state. Supporters spoke of Johnsonís dedication to the school, students, district and position. Board Chair Kathy Lewis let everyone speak, but some accused the board members of having already made up their minds. There were accusations that the board didnít care or want to listen to their concerns. The words ìdone dealî seeped into the statements and board members began to respond. Lewis said that when she met with students at the school, she told them that it would take something ìmajorî to change her mind. A LHS student drew deafening applause when he commented to Lewis, ìYou said something major. I think this is pretty major right here.î Once public discussion was complete, board members explained that their job is to find the best person for the job. Board Member Michele Jennings said Johnsonís experience as interim principal would be an asset on her resume. Her statement drew groans from the audience. She added that Espe impressed her with a ìwell-articulated vision in the interview process.î As board members began to explain their points of view, people began to leave. All the students who had been crowded on the floor in front of the board walked out in groups. Some adults joined them. Lewis explained they have been working on hiring a principal for about a year and if they did not accept Bauckís recommendation, they would have to start from scratch. She said Bauck was hired by them and is responsible for choosing what he considers the best candidates for positions within the district. She said to the crowd, ìYou do not hire and fire principals. Dr. Bauck does.î Dahl said she thought she had her mind made up, but after listening to the people wasnít so sure. She explained that she, too, holds high regard for Johnson and, as tears welled, said she was going to be a disappointment to the board because she changed her mind. She began to cry, prompting Board Member Judy Keliher to put an arm around her saying she has a right to change her mind.
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