Board responds to citizen concerns

Responding to pointed public questions, Sisters School Board members attempted on Monday night to explain why superintendent Ted Thonstad resigned and what some board members found lacking in his performance.

The board was responding largely to concerns aired at public workshops on January 4 to determine qualities and qualification the new superintendent should possess.

Thonstad took a few moments to explain his personal and professional reasons for resigning. Thonstad resigned before the board had made a decision on a contract.

Chairman Rob Corrigan spoke about Thonstad's job performance. He commended Thonstad for his passion for the education of the district's children, his honesty and trustworthiness and ability to deal with financial matters. Improvement, he said, was needed in "staff development, district communications, leadership and strategic direction."

Corrigan favored supporting Thonstad under the conditions that the board and Thonstad would work together to improve these weak areas.

Glen Lasken explained why he supported renewing Thonstad's contract: "He's a wonderful man - committed, passionate, hardworking and he's learning to do other aspects of being a superintendent. So when we fought tooth and nails over what we should do and how this should come out, it wasn't as though we saw it differently. It's more really a matter of how Ted can develop from a good superintendent to a great superintendent."

Steve Rudinsky praised Thonstad's integrity and work ethic and said that he is compassionate, warm and friendly. Rudinsky said that his final decision was based on the input of the five people he had interviewed confidentially and the information he had confidentially gleaned from other board members. Unwilling to discuss specifics that would breach confidentiality, he simply said he told Thonstad, "Ted you've done a good job in the tough areas, but going forward I think you could do a better job in a different district."

"Being a superintendent in a small district is in many ways more difficult than being a superintendent in a large district. You have so many hats to wear, so many responsibilities and relatively little administrative support to help you along," said board member Jeff Smith. "There is no doubt in my mind if we had had a vote about the superintendent, I would have supported Ted. I think Ted has done a fine job, not perfect. And I think he would continue to do a fine job in the future."

Somewhat angered by being forced to voice his position, board member Mike Gould asserted, "What's said in executive session belongs there. I believe that accusations and threats that cause the board to cave in and do what we are doing tonight, I see this as disgraceful."

Gould contended that Thonstad's reasons for resigning are no one else's business. Gould made his position very clear: "To my dying day, I will never understand why how I would have voted on Ted's renewal had a vote been taken ... has any relevance to where this district stands today or where it will be tomorrow."

Gould announced that he would not have supported a one-year renewal. He added that he was the only board member who did not support renewing Thonstad's contract last year.

The airing of the board and Thonstad's views satisfied some - but not all - in the audience at the Monday meeting.

Dissatisfied with the board's disclosure, Morgan, handed each member a formal public records request. The request, which must be answered in seven days, demands the release of all written and audio records of the closed, executive sessions held to discuss Thonstad's job performance. Morgan plans to submit his request to the Deschutes County District Attorney if the board fails to respond.

Morgan's action angered parent Merry Ann Moore.

"Frankly this litigious, unbelievable sideshow is doing nothing but taking away time from people that are wanting to move this district forward," she said.

Moore suggested Morgan organize a recall or run for the school board himself.

Parent Terry Burke thanked the board for starting the process of being transparent. He indicated that their explanations helped to alleviate some of his confusion.

Former school board member and parent Heather Wester challenged Morgan directly: "You could become a school board reporter which would get you into executive sessions where you could see that things are done openly and honestly."

Further she suggested that Morgan become a legislator or lobbyist, "because that's the people who need to be bothered right now with funding and ethical issues."

Parent Christine Jones reflected, "I hope we don't have to waste money, time and resources on fighting legal challenges."

She suggested Morgan help the district in a constructive manner like citizen Jack Weeks with his chess club and those who read with students in the SMART program.

Mike Boyle pleaded that all come together forgetting the past and thinking about the kids and the future.

He said that Sisters has a good school system compared to other public schools but not a great one and that there will be no opportunity to have a great school system "when we have events like this."