The Last Stand
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Mike Knezevich
Sandra Smyser
Steamboat Springs — Interim Superintendent Sandra Smyser is recommending that the Steamboat Springs School Board not renew the contract of high school principal Mike Knezevich, according to documents released Friday.
Contracts for each Steamboat Springs School District principal and assistant principal are up for review every year, but Knezevich’s renewal is particularly contentious. More than 50 people attended the board meeting March 24 when his contract renewal was first discussed, but the board voted to delay action at that time.
The recommendation, credited to Smyser in the agenda packet for Monday’s School Board meeting, states, “I believe it is in the best interest of the Steamboat Springs School District to nonrenew the 2008-09 school year contract for Michael Knezevich, however, given the unique timing of this decision, I defer to the Board’s discretion.”
Smyser could not be reached for comment after the agenda packet was distributed late Friday afternoon and declined to discuss any personnel matters earlier this week.
Reached at Steamboat Springs High School on Friday, Knezevich said he was not surprised by Smyser’s decision.
“The recommendation is as it is, and it will be my responsibility to have the discussions with the board about the recommendation. It will be up to the board to make the final and hopefully fair and reasonable decision in the matter,” he said.
Public and private
The schedule for Monday’s board meeting includes one hour of public comment and three separate executive sessions. During those times, the board will meet with district attorneys and Knezevich to discuss his contract.
Because of personnel laws, the board cannot discuss Knezevich’s renewal in the open meeting, Smyser said. While members of the public can express their views in the open meeting, the board will be unable to fully explain its decision, regardless of the outcome.
“That’s the hard part — how do they talk about it when it’s all personnel?” Smyser said.
“It is a big decision, and it needs to be done (outside of executive session), but once they’re out, they can’t say very much in the public ear. It’s really a catch-22.”
Smyser said she has received many opinions from the public regarding Knezevich’s status. She will present a summary of those comments to the board during executive session Monday.
“I had a lot of feedback before the first meeting in March, and then I’ve made it very clear I’ll listen to anyone. I have had parents and teachers come in and talk to me. Some have left voicemails, some have left e-mails, all kinds of different ways of just letting me know what they think,” she said.
Knezevich also said he will speak to the board during the executive sessions, but he does not expect to make any public comments.
“I certainly appreciate the overwhelming support that I’ve gotten from parents and community members and staff and students. I feel very blessed for all of the people who have come forward, both at the last board meeting and who have talked to me individually or in groups over the past couple of months,” he said.
Many of the people who spoke at the March board meeting supported Knezevich.
Also on Monday’s agenda is the budget for next year, characterized as unremarkable by district officials. There are few new items on the budget, which will primarily be a roll-over from previous budgets, said Dale Mellor, district finance director.
The budget for the 2009 fiscal year is expected to total more than $20.8 million, an increase of less than 1 percent from the previous year.
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Community comments
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StbtWatchmen (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 6:53 a.m.
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bu,
I don't think your prediction of the BOE and Knezzy's contract will come true! Why? The BOE has two very active district parents seated on it that were not happy with Knezzy. The third new BOE member could be swayed but, I don't think that will happen from the inside information I have. There has been too many inconsistencies in Knezzy's position that have a few people left with knots in their underwear. Now, Knezzy will face the witch hunters. I believe the new superintendent will have words in this matter. Some of the rumor is; the new superintendent is a hatchet lady, hired to clean the system for the new BOE! I conquer with you on the fact that Dr Smyser was a good find and the district should have retained her. The school district is a very unsettled place. Employee turn over of teachers and the lack of support staff have stressed the learning environment for our kids, not to mention the working conditions for staff. Maybe some permanency in the leadership will settle animosities for everyone there. Well, at least that’s the hope! I guess the summer will tell.
dogd (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 7:19 a.m.
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New principal?
The cries of pain will not come from those who want education along with great counciling (sp?) to be re-prioritized over there.
Athletics won't win the more important races we are in at this time.
mominboat (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 7:39 a.m.
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Robin Crossan, SSSD board president will not send her son to the public high school. If she gets her way with Knezevich's outing, will she continue to bash the school she took an oath to support? Will her son leave Whiteman and go to the high school? Sorry Robin, I don't get your thinking that you are on the school board, as president, yet you will not send your own child to our high school. You have HATED our school district since you arrived here, and now you are in a position to really show the public your true identity. Parents, teachers, students and the Steamboat Springs Community, do not trust this woman. She will stab you in the back the minute she gets the chance if you go against her controlling wishes.
Others that have disliked Knezevich have children leaving the district. Why do you continue to rail on this man who has proven to make changes?
My heart goes out to two amazing educators, Mike and Katie Knezevich. They could have stayed and had a great legacy here in Steamboat Springs. Instead, the malice of a few are disintegrating the morale, the ethic and the spirit of our educational system.
When does the public tell a brain surgeon how to do their job? Why are non-educators, these control freaks of the board, allowed to micromanage our schools? Let teachers teach and administrators support the education of our students. That's what they are trained for.
dogd (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 9:56 a.m.
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After my above post, both of my recent graduates of SSHS, felt that my position concerning this issue is wrong , and that Mr. Knezevich has done a good job.
An SSHS education did not prevent them from getting accepted by good universities. Seems they both strongly support him.
Neither knows who Robin Crossan is. Nor do I.
skygazer (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 11:57 a.m.
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My kids and I have all had some issues with Mr. Knezevich. We found him somewhat inflexible, intimidating, and at times insensitive to the needs of individuals. I think he made a mistake not leaving willingly earlier when he realized there were issues with him and he was given the opportunity to resign — the district must now make a decision about whether it is better to have an unwanted principal or rush to find a replacement late in the year, both positions are difficult. Mike might now face a blemish on his resume — being essentially fired.
palmway (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 11:59 a.m.
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mominboat: Your personal and mean-spirited attack is a prime reason we have a difficult time finding good people to run for the office of Board of Education. Your anger is misdirected, and you are uninformed. You should take some time to educate yourself on the State Statutes that govern the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Education (try the CDE website). You would know that Administrative hiring decisions are made by the Board, that these decisions are made every year, as they are on one-year contracts, and that none of the specifics of an employee's record can be discussed in public. You don't know the full story!
As for your criticism of Robin Crossan, Board President, again you are misinformed and your opinions are spiteful. Robin has dedicated many, many volunteer hours to our District in the classroom, on committees, and now on the Board of Education. The position of Board President requires somewhere around 30 hours or more per month of volunteer, upaid time. Not exactly what I would expect from someone who, as you say, HATES the district. The fact that her family makes a decision about what is the best education for their son in the face of criticism like yours is something to be admired. Would you have the courage to do the same?
We all disagree with the decisions of our elected officials, but let's do so with a hint of respect, eh?
felix (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 4:14 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff because it violated our terms of use.)
StbtWatchmen (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 6:06 p.m.
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Kitty (Felix),
You sound exactly like a Middle School teacher I know whose a huge Obama fan! I guess we will see what Dr Cunningham will do to straighten out the continued slop RE-2 has slouching around its domain! “skygazer”? Try Steamboat watchdog advocate. Bon Voyage!
mominboat (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 6:41 p.m.
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Palmway,
If you have attended any community meetings over the years with Crossan or heard her speak to teachers, parents and administrators the way I have, you would realize she has an agenda that doesn't honor the professional educators in the business. I knew someone was going to give me flack for this, and if you want to debate it further, so be it. I am tired of losing decent people (not just Knezevich) because of Crossan's agenda. She speaks in absolutes, gives ultimatums and discounts the legitimacy of the great education students can get at our high school. Her hit list has been extensive since she first ran against Pat Gleason and Jerry Kozatch a few years ago.
Perhaps your lesson of respect for others needs to be redirected towards the board. If you are going to be in the position of school board president, better be able to take the heat (read opinions from the community and those whom elected you) for any decisions made.
armchairqb (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 8:48 p.m.
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Why is Smyser making these decisions as a lame duck administrator? If the “NEW GUY” wants to clean house let her, but the outgoing should not do her dirty work for her. The timing of the whole thing stinks to the high heavens. Lets waste a bunch of money on a hiring search only to hire a local in the long run. I say Knezy should stay.
palmway (anonymous)
June 7, 2008 at 10:38 p.m.
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mom:
Just curious, who have we lost since Crossan took over with her hit list in November?
handyman (anonymous)
June 8, 2008 at 6:16 a.m.
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I heard that there was a poll at the high school for all staff about their opinion on his performance and it was 80/20 in his favor. These are the people who work with him, see him in action and have a lot to say about his performance. I'm not too familiar with the situation surrounding Mike, but it sounds to me like he rubbed some people in power the wrong way.
stillinsteamboat
June 8, 2008 at 6:41 a.m.
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there are many lessons in life not taught on the playing field. I hear from some students that the emphasis should be more on academics and less on sports in the H.S.
Steamboatmom1 (anonymous)
June 8, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.
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Yes it's true there are many lesson not taught on the playing field. Some is taught through life lessons and experiences. I know I had a few run INS with Mike and from a parents viewpoint they were not good. He didn't want to take care of a problem we had for one. It had to be taken to the BOE in order to be resolved. The kids need someone they are not going to be afraid of going to for help. I Feel we can get someone better in there that will be there for all not just some.
zzzz (anonymous)
June 8, 2008 at 11:55 a.m.
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Mike has done an excellent job as a principal. The same few people complain over and over because they don't get their way. Sad that 5% of the people who are always negative and get along with very few people are the ones who get their way instead of the rest of us that know that Mike has made decisions in the best interest of the students.
myopinion (anonymous)
June 8, 2008 at 3 p.m.
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A small number of staff believe Mike has done an excellent job as principal. Handyman was misinformed as to the results of the survey—he is referring to the only question Mike commented on and it has nothing to do with being a good leader/principal. People like Mike as a person, most of his staff likes him as a person. Just because we like him does not mean he should lead us.
Unfortunately, Mike has not released the survey results publicly—until he does no one can discuss them because it is a private personnel matter. However, that information, I am sure, was very persuasive in Dr. Smyser's decision to once again recommend that he be non-renewed as principal.
If Mike wanted you all to know what the staff really feels about his leadership, he would release the survey results. Instead, he is making those “not in the know” believe he is being treated unfairly.
A follow up survey was done with the staff a couple of weeks ago, but Mike has not even released that information to the staff…makes me believe it did not show the changes and growth that he was hoping for.
There is an hour long public/staff comment at the board meeting on Monday night. I assure you that only people who support Mike will speak in his behalf. No staff member will risk speaking publicly agiainst Mike. It is a no win situation. However, a huge number of staff have spoken with Dr. Smyser directly and she will give a summary of that information at the board meeting, but it will be during an executive session—no one will hear it except the board. However, I think this should carry a lot of wieght with the board.
I believe that our fomer superintendent, Dr. Howell, was in the process of reeling Mike in—if she would have stayed with the district I think Mike would have had to change his ways or she too would have asked him to resign. I believe he has been insubordanate to his superiors (more than just Dr. Smyser) wanting to continue with his agenda as though he should be able to run the high school “at will” and disregard all school district strategies and programs.
I am so happy that Dr. Smyser has the guts to be the kind of superintendent who will follow through with a decision based on facts from the staff, and directors, and specialists within this school district.
I do not share the “agenda”, as someone earlier said, of the board or of Robin Crossan, but I know that Mike needs to move on in order to allow the high school to heal and to flourish—it is in the best interest of everyone. I am sad that his wife will also have to leave our district. I am saddened that Mike did not resign in March when asked to…by now he would have another job.
iopinion (anonymous)
June 8, 2008 at 5:46 p.m.
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Mike is a big man with a big heart who has been hurt and humbled by all this. He is a great role model for kids in the school, is a professional who doesn't gossip or slander others, even those who have bad mouthed him, and he takes his responsibility as principal very seriously. Perhaps he tried too hard to prove himself to a superintendent who didn't seem to support his hiring in the first place. I have heard of numerous staff members who have also gone to Dr. Smyser to speak in support of him, perhaps they are afraid of the treatment they would receive from other teachers/staff in the building who are against him if they were to speak publicly. I have heard that he has supported district policies and strategies in terms of requested time off and working part time. It seems upholding these policies just get him in trouble with the staff members who are against him now. Being a teacher is no easy task and most work way above and beyond, but perhaps some should experience what it is really like working outside of the school setting when you don't get every break off your child does, when you have to work the hours your employer requires, and when it is your choice to leave if you don't like your boss. Once again Steamboat has a situation where two highly qualified and respectable citizens may be forced to move on because we are always looking for something better - and when we get it, we don't want that either.
carmen (anonymous)
June 8, 2008 at 6:33 p.m.
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The high school staff has a great deal of respect for Mike as a principal and person. myopinion is misinformed. Mike shared the results of the survey with us. A few disgruntled staff members have been very vocal. The high school is flourishing, and if the few people who always want their way would get over their own egos the school district would even be better.
hmmmm (anonymous)
June 8, 2008 at 6:43 p.m.
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People should quit using this forum to slander Mike. If you have something negative or positive to say, you should convey the information to Dr. Smyser or the board. Using a forum where a person can not defend themselves is unfair and not something the paper should even allow.
townie (anonymous)
June 8, 2008 at 7:09 p.m.
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Mike has helped numerous kids in this town. Yes, he sometimes had to make decisions that were not popular but were in the best interest of kids. It's too bad that a few teachers and parents can't see past their own personal agendas. Mike cares deeply about the kids of Steamboat Springs unlike those who only care about themselves.
StbtWatchmen (anonymous)
June 9, 2008 at 4:51 a.m.
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It is fairly apparent that (carmen,hmmm,townie) and any other pro Knezovich supporters, have never been left on the short end of the stick with Knezzy! Shoe always feels different on the other foot, so to speak. If Knezovich was doing “all” the right things, why is he in the spot he's in? Schmidt never had that problem! Lear never had that problem! Knezzy has a chance to log on in this forum for his defense if he elected to but, this forum has a reputation of being a hard place at times and I would not blame anyone for staying away! It would be interesting though!
myopinion (anonymous)
June 9, 2008 at 5:56 a.m.
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Mike did not share the second survey with the staff, and he only shared part of the first survey with staff—I am very well informed. It is amazing that some can say that it is only a few disgrunteled staff members that don't get their way that have a problem with Mike—how do you know? Have you spoken to each and every staff member about their experiences with Mike? I know that some staff have no problem with Mike; however, I know of many (not just a few) staff who have been struggling with Mike for years. A few could not possible make a difference in the position Mike finds himself in. I like Mike as a person, I do not support him as a leader—there is a difference. I wish him the best.
myopinion (anonymous)
June 9, 2008 at 6 a.m.
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Dear Carmen
The staff of the high school is not the public. We cannot discuss the survey with anyone outside of our staff. If Mike wants the public to know the survey results, he has to release them.
carmen (anonymous)
June 9, 2008 at 6:35 a.m.
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Schmidt and Lear both had disgruntled employees to deal with during their time, every school does. One big difference is that they also had a super who had been around long enough to figure out who constantly complains. Mike should be given a chance to prove what he is capapble of with the new super.
id04sp (anonymous)
June 9, 2008 at 7:36 a.m.
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'When does the public tell a brain surgeon how to do their job? Why are non-educators, these control freaks of the board, allowed to micromanage our schools? Let teachers teach and administrators support the education of our students. That's what they are trained for.”
Got a newflash for you, folks. Educators are among the least well-trained and most poorly educated “professionals” among us. In general, anyone who ever had the word “coach” associated with his position in a school is a man who had no marketable skills off the athletic field, and was not good enough to go pro. They tend to be people who received acclaim in high school for their athletic performance, and that's the only place they know how to function on a competitive basis.
We know the school has had problems with bullying, and that is the number ONE security issue facing teenage kids. When they don't feel safe in the school we compel them to attend, the fault is ours, and leaving people in charge who don't deal with the problem (and that often means male coaches who coddle athletes and bullies because, guess what, they did the same thing when they were in high school) only makes it worse. It's just like the old RCSO that made everything except a gunshot wound a “civil matter” and left us citizens hanging out there to dry.
I challenge all parents of highschool kids to ask them if they would feel safe going to this man to report bullying. If not, get rid of him. No amount of education and administration can make up for a system that, through inaction or lack of caring, allows mean kids to disrupt the educational opportunities of weaker kids.
“Support for athletics” too often means, “letting them get away with murder.” Kids who bully others physically should be charged with assault and suspended. Period.
By the way, the reason that bullies are not suspended and expelled is that the schools receive funding based on the number of students attending. Every little adolescent hide that shows up for school means dollars to the district. How else could we afford such high salaries for supers and so many administrative positions in such a small school district?
These folks are using our kids to line their own nests, and it should stop. Save money by getting rid of people above the level of classroom teaching, and let the teachers who DO care and DO have something to teach do their jobs.
papafu
June 9, 2008 at 8:36 p.m.
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If a brain surgeon was paid with the public's tax dollars, he/she would be much more accountable to the mercy of the public.
id states “Educators are among the least well-trained and most poorly educated “professionals” among us. In general, anyone who ever had the word “coach” associated with his position in a school is a man who had no marketable skills off the athletic field, and was not good enough to go pro. They tend to be people who received acclaim in high school for their athletic performance, and that's the only place they know how to function on a competitive basis.”
I'm not sure what makes id an authority on education. id definitely is allowed to state his/her opinions, but if it weren't for the “coaches” of this world, we would not be nearly as well educated as id tends to infer. What goes on in the classroom day in and day out is not all the education that takes place in any school. Throughout a day students are educated and influenced in many ways. Also, what does this have to do with the issue being discussed? Or is the issue to bash educators and coaches and I just didn't pick up on it?
That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
portagetheyampa (anonymous)
June 9, 2008 at 9:44 p.m.
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Dr Smyser's loss is Eagle County's gain.
id04sp (anonymous)
June 10, 2008 at 7:20 a.m.
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Fud,
My opinions were formed as a result of attending public schools for 13 years (including public Kindergarten, which is how you get 13 instead of 12) and observing the actions of at least six so-called “teachers” who coached athletics in those schools. Let's see, there was coach Gutchell who would call the roll (because he didn't know most of us by name), toss in a couple of rubber balls between the size of a volley ball and a basketball, and leave for 45 minutes to allow the bullies in the class to go around smashing the weaker kids at will. There was coach McDonald who also supposedly taught drivers ed (classroom) and health, who would call the roll, give a reading assignment from the textbook, and leave the room for 45 minutes so that the bullies in the class could torment the weaker kids. There was coach Dicus, who also supposedly taught shop, who would call the roll and then leave for 45 minutes … get the picture? (And oh, by the way, I was on the wrestling team, so I was not one of the kids being picked on.)
There's a high school classmate of mine who went to college to become a teacher in her 30s, and discovered that they don't teach you the subject matter. Mais non! (That's French). They teach you how to teach and show you the teacher's guide, and send you away with a general education that may have little value outside the classroom. Those who get a degree in Physical Education, like my friend, teach gym. The last time I talked to her, she had flunked the real estate exam four times and was teaching English.
I once went to Palm Springs, California and visited the Rancho Mirage Country Club. The pro shop hooked me up with the superintendant of schools, and two high school principals, all three of whom were known as “coach.” At one point I lined up a tricky putt from the fringe of the green, and watched the amazement on the faces of the three coaches as the ball cleared the fringe and picked up speed, curved in a perfect arc and went into the hole. “How did you do that?” the Super asked? I told him, “Oh, it's just like the refraction of light in physics class.” He said, “The only thing I know about physics is that I ducked my head and ran past that classroom on my way to football practice.”
I could go on, but I won't.
Teachers are usually the most knowledgeable people in the school because of their age and experience, and they tend to think they know more than they do. To the contrary, engineers and scientists only begin to learn when they get the BS degree and move on to grad school or professional life.
So, when your schools are being run by guys who mostly played ball in college and then ran back to high school to work, what you get is a marginally educated 21-year old mind that never grows much more. And that's why the schools don't prepare kids for real life. The teachers don't know much about real life outside of high school.
papafu
June 10, 2008 at 3:52 p.m.
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id
Obviously your high school P.E.“coaches” were not ones that made learning beneficial or enjoyable for you. However, my personal experience along with the experiences of my children and their many friends were just the opposite. The “coaches” who taught P.E. and other subjects(English, Math, Science, etc) were some of the finest teachers and people we have known. They were knowledgeable in their subject area and also knew how to get the best performance out of each individual student. Are there teachers who perform as you stated? Of course. Does this mean that all “coaches” are of that caliber?
On another note, I believe that teachers who are not teaching in an appropriate manner many times slip through the cracks and are kept on instead of being dismissed before they gain the protection of tenure. This falls under the job responsibility of the school administrator. Why are they allowed to continue? I'll leave that for a later discussion.
That is just my opinion. I could be wrong.
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