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Split school board passes on top candidate for replacement
The candidate who earned first place -- by more than six points -- was not appointed Monday evening to fill the vacancy on the McCook Public Schools board of education.
Instead, three members of the board elected the candidate who initially was tied for second place.
To fill the vacancy created when board member and president Greg Larson resigned in October, seven candidates were interviewed during the regular board meeting Monday and ranked by each of the five remaining board members on a scale of 1-7 (1 being the highest score, 7 being the lowest).
In the ranking process recommended to the board in two legal opinions -- a process that board members Diane Lyons and Shane Messersmith tried to sidestep -- the top two candidates, identified by their lowest scores, would be the final candidates for the open seat. The ultimate winner would be decided after board discussion and through a formal motion and vote.
On the recommendation of the schools' legal counsel, all activities associated with the appointment process would be conducted in open session. The scoring sheets would become public information.
Lyons made a motion to appoint a candidate without using the number scoring system and with only the vote of three members; Messersmith seconded her motion. However, acting president/vice-president Larry Shields and fellow board members Tom Bredvick and Michael Gonzales voted no to that motion.
Bredvick then made a motion, seconded by Gonzales, to follow the advice of the schools' legal counsel and require that each board member individually score/rank each candidate. The qualifications of the top two candidates -- the two candidates with the lowest scores -- would be discussed by the board, a motion/second made and a vote conducted. A tie would require that the board members re-score only the two involved in the tie.
The lowest/best score after interviews was candidate Scott Johnson's 10 points. Tied for second place were Gary Power and Sandy Krysl, each with 16 points.
Other candidates' totals were: Colyn Suda and Cloyd Clark, 21 points each; Harold Bennett, 22 points; and LeRoy Jaggers, 29 points.
This is how each board member voted:
DIANE LYONS: Gary Power 1; Harold Bennett 7; Scott Johnson 1; Colyn Suda 6; LeRoy Jaggers 7; Cloyd Clark 6; and Sandy Krysl 7.
SHANE MESSERSMITH: Gary Power 1; Harold Bennett 7; Scott Johnson 1; Colyn Suda 7; LeRoy Jaggers 7; Cloyd Clark 3; Sandy Krysl 1.
LARRY SHIELDS: Gary Power 2; Harold Bennett 6; Scott Johnson 2; Colyn Suda 3; LeRoy Jaggers 7; Cloyd Clark 6; Sandy Krysl 3.
TOM BREDVICK: Gary Power 6; Harold Bennett 1; Scott Johnson 2; Colyn Suda 1; LeRoy Jaggers 4; Cloyd Clark 2; Sandy Krysl 1.
MIKE GONZALES: Gary Power 6; Harold Bennett 1; Scott Johnson 4; Colyn Suda 4; Leroy Jaggers 4; Cloyd Clark 4; Sandy Krysl 4.
In the tie-breaker between Power and Krysl, the votes were:
Diane Lyons: Power 1; Krysl 7 (She ranked Power 1 and Krysl 7 in the initial vote).
Shane Messersmith: Power 1; Krysl 7 (compared to 1 for Power and 1 for Krysl in the first vote).
Larry Shields: Power 3; Krysl 2 (compared to 2 for Power and 3 for Krysl in the first vote).
Tom Bredvick: Power 7; Krysl 1 (compared to 6 for Power and 1 for Krysl in the first vote).
Mike Gonzales: Power 6; Krysl 2 (compared to 6 for Power and 4 for Krysl in the first vote).
In the tie breaker, Power's score of 18 was one point lower than Krysl's 19. Ducking his head, Shields mumbled that Gary Power was the winner of the tie breaker. Power's name was then placed among the top two finishers.
Following the tie breaker, Bredvick made a motion to appoint Scott Johnson -- who had finished in first place -- to fill Larson's position on the board; Gonzales seconded the motion. Bredvick and Gonzales voted for Johnson. Lyons, Messersmith and Shields voted no.
Lyons then made a motion to appoint Power, a motion seconded by Messersmith. Lyons, Messersmith and Shields voted yes. Bredvick voted no, and Gonzales -- who prefaced his vote with, "This stinks of politics" -- also voted no.
Shields quickly adjourned the meeting.
During his interview, candidate LeRoy Jegger told board members -- in an Arkansas accent that made people smile and broke some of the mounting tension in the room -- it is obvious from their actions and from reports of their meetings: "You're divided. I'm sorry -- but you're divided." But he said, with his experience as a superintendent of schools for 29 years in Kansas, he may be the candidate who could bring the board together.
" ... you are divided," Jaggers said. "I'm not going to say who. I can see it. I can read it in the paper."
Jaggers told board members his motive for wanting on the board "may be a little selfish," explaining that he doesn't know of any better way to make an impact on a community than by serving on the board of education. "I want to be a part of the board," he said. "All I know is school."
To the question, "What qualities make a good board member?," Jaggers said a good board member must listen, take everything into consideration and make decisions without bias. Jaggers said he believes in strong, up-to-date curriculum.
Jegger said the role of the board member is to follow board policy. "Let the administrators do their job," he said. "You just follow board policy."
Each of the seven candidates were asked the same questions:
1. Reasons for applying for the board vacancy.
2. What experience would you bring to this position?
3. What qualities do you believe make a good school board member?
4. What goals/visions for the school district do you have for the next six years?
Gary Power was the first candidate before the board: He said he is interested in education and attends board meetings. His son is in high school and he is curious about school and concerned about education.
Power said he was a teacher in the past and has been in business since 1979. He is experienced in athletics, he said.
Power said it is important that board members listen to patrons, teachers and administrators and then evaluate the information. A job, if it's done right, Power said, requires homework; it's important that board members take the time to do research, especially on items before the committees.
With today's economy, Power said, his goal would be to hold and maintain what the school has now. He's pleased, he said, with the return of the ag program and its new teacher, and with the Central art program, although, he said, the school district needs more art.
Power said he doesn't take a lot of time discussing items. "I'm pretty much to the point," he said.
Harold Bennett, McCook's superintendent of schools until his retirement in 1993, said it was appropriate that he kept a low profile after his retirement. His experience in the position as McCook's superintendent, however, would insure that he could come up to speed quickly. "I believe I have that experience, background and temperament to be a contributing board member immediately," Bennett said.
Bennett said his entire life's career has been in education -- from a rural school in 1950 to his superintendency in McCook. In 1996, he was elected to the board of governors of Mid Plains Community College area, and served two four-year terms. He was elected vice chairman three times and finished the final two years as chairman of the board. While on the board, Bennett served on instruction, facilities and personnel negotiations committees, and chaired the committee that rewrote board policies.
Bennett said he possesses "a genuine interest in young people and their future welfare," and has "an appreciation for providing a good education for all students."
About boardsmanship, Bennett said, "Although a good board member must be able to make sound decisions and hold to their convictions, they must be willing to compromise and support the majority board decisions." He continued, "They can't impede progress of the board."
Bennett said he has no specific "agenda," except to "help assure a sound, quality educational program for our community's young people, taking into consideration our community's resources and needs."
Bennett said it will be vital that the public school system continue to create partnerships with Mid Plains and McCook Community College.
Scott Johnson, who works for 21st Century Systems in McCook, said three of his four children are enrolled in McCook Public Schools. "I'm interested in school, in teachers, the administration," and the level of education available to every child. "The school drives the success of the community," Johnson said. He wants a school that empowers students to succeed, he said, and to know that after college graduation, returning to McCook "can be rewarding."
Johnson said he is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and as a business owner, has experience with business finances, budgets, management and personnel, and with interacting with the public.
He is detail-oriented, he said.
A board member must be committed, be trustworthy, decisive and consistent, Johnson said. He/she must interact effectively with fellow board members, administrators and the public. "He must listen to the tax payers," Johnson said. "He is a steward" of the tax payers' money.
Johnson said he would like to see an increased level of involvement by parents, and is concerned with safety concerns, pointing out that "McCook is not isolated, not shielded" from the problems of the world.
The district's new superintendent will have to be a "visionary," Johnson said.
Colin Suda said that although he "typically avoids situations where tomatoes can be thrown at me," he is interested in serving on the board as a way to become more involved in his children's lives, and, "because someone was there to do it for me."
Suda said that he has worked as an auditor of school activities in Kansas, and through his work experience at Southwest Public Power District in Palisade, is aware of the workings of a board.
Suda said a board member must be honest and have integrity and "a thick skin." He said he is aware that any decision can make someone unhappy, but, he said, a board member must vote his/her conscious and then, as in sports, move on to the next play.
Suda said he has no preconceived notion of where the school should be in the next six years, but he did say he would like it to move more in the direction of technology.
Cloyd Clark said he applied for the McCook school board vacancy as a way to "give back to the community. The work of the school and the board is the most important work in the community," he said
As a county judge, Clark said, he worked with young people, not all with criminal violations. "I dealt with lots of children and family situations," he said. As an active member of McCook's Rotary Club, he said, he sees the positive side of the community. "I have seen a broad section of young people and families," Clark said.
Clark said that he always enjoyed school, the university and law school. He has been involved also in adult education, training staff and judges. He has developed analytical skills that would be valuable to the board, he said.
Clark said he is a good listener, values education, works well with others and understands the role of the board and administration.
Clark said he has no agenda to bring before the board, but wants to continue long-range fiscal planning and a commitment to excellence in academics, sports and student leadership.
The school has more opportunities to make a difference than any other agency in the community, Clark said. He wants the McCook school system to give students the skills to thrive, hopefully in McCook, but also "anywhere they would go."
Sandy Krysl said he husband called her "a glutton for punishment" when she decided to apply for the empty board position. "I care about kids," she said. "Children deserve the best education we can offer them." She wants students to have a good educational experience, and want to return to McCook and raise their families.
Krysl said she has "a responsibility to give back to the community."
As a clinic manager and business owner, Krysl said, she has experience with dealing with the public, and is a good listener and effective communicator. She also has budget experience.
Krysl said a board's responsibility is to develop plans and then let administrators carry out those plans.
"I have a love for all kids," she said. "I want to help them do their best."
Krysl said that the selection of a new superintendent and the hiring of new teachers to replace those retiring are important decisions facing the board. She wants the board to have the tools needed to recruit young people and young families to McCook.
She wants to continue to raise the academic standards of students and maintain communication within the board.