Colfax: School board signs super for two years

Colfax school board voted unanimously Monday night to retain Superintendent Michael Morgan for another two years and the superintendent accepted the offer.

The board’s vote followed heated debate Monday and at their previous session Oct. 18.

Criticism of the superintendent clashed with praise of him at Monday’s meeting, which was attended by 58 people, including school staffers, parents and other residents.

Supt. Morgan said in a later interview with the Gazette he plans on standing by his acceptance of the contract, unless another opportunity comes up. He earlier this year hinted to the Gazette he may resign.

The superintendent’s employment status has become a subject of controversy after a rough year for the district.

A faction in the school district said they have ongoing problems with his leadership and communication style, along with his decision-making skills. Several people, including Rhonda Pittman, classified union president, and Ed Morgan, a retired superintendent, spoke to that effect.

An equally passionate group of school employees and residents called for the board to keep the superintendent in light of his dogged work ethic and devotion to the school. Dozens of people wore yellow paper ribbons that said, “I support the superintendent.”

Before announcing the board decision, school board chair Brian Becker said board members had had many phone calls and e-mails from citizens.

Based on that information, the board made their choice, Becker said, seconds before the board voted to extend the contract.

Becker announced at the beginning of the meeting the board cannot speak on personnel issues in public.

All board members voted in favor of keeping the superintendent following a 45-minute executive session at the end of Monday night’s meeting.

The last school year for the district saw a failed school levy, $300,000 in budget cuts, a disgruntled staff and other controversies such as the dismantling and subsequent reinstallation of the school’s Knowledge Bowl program.

A reduced levy proposal was later narrowly approved by district voters.

Retired school teacher Brenda Kneeshaw, who has spoken in favor of the superintendent, said Tuesday she was pleased with the board’s decision. She said she has high hopes the school employees would now settle their differences and work together for the rest of the school year.

“We’re all just going to move forward,” Kneeshaw said.

Activities director Mike Morgan who has spoken out against the leadership of the superintendent, said after the board’s decision the group of dissatisfied employees would like to sit down with the superintendent and have another conversation on “working on collaboration.”

Specifically, Mike Morgan said that could mean asking for more staff input into administrative decisions and more communication between the superintendent and staff.

Other than this, Mike Morgan, who also serves and bands director and football coach, said he’d just like to move on.

“We either lie down on the floor and kick our feet and scream or we say it is what it is. Let’s try to find a way to function together and improve this relationship over the next couple of years,” Mike Morgan said.

Voices for and against the superintendent spoke up at the meeting.

“I’ve seen the superintendent exemplify some leadership and character that I hold dear, and people have had the audacity to complain about it,” said Jim Kackman, who has children attending the school.

Kackman pointed out the superintendent works very diligently at both large and small tasks at the school.

“He has enough experience and knowledge to take us into the future,” he said.

Tarri Steiger said she didn’t see how the failure of the school levy was the sole responsibility of the superintendent.

“The people of the district voted down that stupid levy. Why is that his responsibility?” Steiger asked

Ed Morgan, one of two retired educators who headed the drive that lead to approval of the second round levy proposal, spoke twice, criticizing the superintendent for not meeting with all staff members to stamp out the continuing discontent .

“I tell you, Mr. Morgan, as a superintendent, I would have done that a long time ago,” Ed Morgan said, his voice rising.

“You have a responsibility to meet with these people and move on,” Morgan added later.

Becker, toward the end of Ed Morgan’s second round of comments, reminded Morgan he needed to address the board, not the superintendent.

Pittman, a secretary at the elementary school, became president of the classified union this year and told the board at the meeting she has had a rough time working with the superintendent.

“It shocked me he didn’t want to hear when people were unhappy,” she said. She added she felt the results of a staff survey on the district administration fell on the deaf ears of the board and the superintendent.

“We feel like nothing has changed,” she said. She pointed out the school has only been able to continue to operate because of the competence of the district’s two school principals, Tom Arlt at Jennings and Gary Weitz at the high school. .

Former Colfax superintendent Don Cox said the job of a school board and superintendent is difficult across the state at this time. Anyone with those responsibilities has their hands full anyway, Cox said.

“I just would not want anybody to think it’s just a matter of solving people’s feelings. Because it’s a tough time to be a school district,” Cox said.

Tuesday she was pleased with the board’s decision. She said she has high hopes the school employees would now settle their differences and work together for the rest of the school year.

“We’re all just going to move forward,” Kneeshaw said.

Activities director Mike Morgan, who has spoken out against the leadership of the superintendent, said after the board’s decision the group of dissatisfied employees would like to sit down with the superintendent and have another conversation on “working on collaboration.”

Specifically, Mike Morgan said that could mean asking for more staff input into administrative decisions and more communication between the superintendent and staff.

Other than this, Mike Morgan, who also serves as bands director and football coach, said he’d just like to move on.

“We either lie down on the floor and kick our feet and scream or we say it is what it is. Let’s try to find a way to function together and improve this relationship over the next couple of years,” Mike Morgan said.

Voices for and against the superintendent spoke up at the meeting.

“I’ve seen the superintendent exemplify some leadership and character that I hold dear, and people have had the audacity to complain about it,” said Jim Kackman, who has children attending the school.

Kackman pointed out the superintendent works very diligently at both large and small tasks at the school.

“He has enough experience and knowledge to take us into the future,” he said.

Tarri Steiger said she didn’t see how the failure of the school levy was the sole responsibility of the superintendent.

“The people of the district voted down that stupid levy. Why is that his responsibility?” Steiger asked

Ed Morgan, one of two retired educators who headed the drive that lead to approval of the second round levy proposal, spoke twice, criticizing the superintendent for not meeting with all staff members to stamp out the continuing discontent.

“I tell you, Mr. Morgan, as a superintendent, I would have done that a long time ago,” Ed Morgan said, his voice rising.

“You have a responsibility to meet with these people and move on,” Morgan added later.

Becker, toward the end of Ed Morgan’s second round of comments, reminded Morgan he needed to address the board, not the superintendent.

Rhonda Pittman, a secretary at the elementary school, became president of the classified union this year and told the board at the meeting she has had a rough time working with the superintendent.

“It shocked me he didn’t want to hear when people were unhappy,” she said. She added she felt the results of a staff survey on the district administration fell on the deaf ears of the board and the superintendent.

“We feel like nothing has changed,” she said. She pointed out the school has only been able to continue to operate because of the competence of the district’s two school principals, Tom Arlt at Jennings and Gary Weitz at the high school.

Former Colfax superintendent Don Cox said the job of a school board and superintendent is difficult across the state at this time. Anyone with those responsibilities has their hands full anyway, Cox said.

“I just would not want anybody to think it’s just a matter of solving people’s feelings. Because it’s a tough time to be a school district,” Cox said.