Naselle board grapples with superintendent's resignation

Naselle-Grays River Valley school board members have met together several times since Superintendent Alan Bennett submitted a letter of resignation to the board at a meeting held August 18.

At that meeting, the board tabled a motion to accept Bennett’s resignation and a motion to hire him for a fourth grade teaching position and scheduled a special meeting for August 20 but did act on another personnel matter. High school Spanish instructor Eileen Williams was hired to teach the sixth grade class. Principal Karen Wirkkala noted that Williams had taught middle school overseas for 15 years before being hired to teach in Naselle.

Community member Steve Gacke, a former board member, attended the meeting to offer input on the board’s recent discussion regarding director district boundaries. He had been a member of the board when the school district worked to adjust director district boundaries after the 2000 census. He had called Pacific County and Wahkiakum County to get population figures about the districts, which he then presented to the board during the public comment period.

The redistricting discussion has been about moving from five geographic director districts to three with two additional at-large board members from any area of the district.

Bennett suggested that the directors have a meeting to talk about the proposal and invite public input at the meeting. If the public supported the proposal, then the board could pass a resolution regarding a measure for the February ballot or could encourage the community to start a petition. Board Chair Deanna Gjovik assured Gacke that the board would not take action regarding director district boundaries unless they were prompted to do so by the people they are elected to represent.

Gacke inquired as to the urgency of dealing with the issue when the upcoming 2010 census could mandate additional changes. Board member Hollis Fletcher responded “we aren’t getting anyone to run (for Gjovik’s district).” Gjovik’s term expires this fall. Gacke replied, “The election hasn’t happened yet.” He reminded the board that a write-in candidate might emerge.

After reconvening at the special board meeting on August 20, board member Steve Sultemeier moved to accept Bennett’s resignation effective August 30, and the board approved the motion. Board member Gilbert Haataia then moved to hire Bennett as a fourth grade teacher, and the motion passed without dissent.

The board then scheduled a second special meeting for August 24 to discuss and take action on appointing an interim superintendent.

Two prospective applicants, former Knappa, Oregon district superintendent Rick Pass and Jack Smith attended Monday’s meeting.

Sultemeier asked as to how Smith and Pass had learned about the open position, since no formal position announcement had been advertised. Pass replied that he had seen an article about Bennett’s resignation on The Chinook Observer website and had called Gjovik. Smith had contacted Gjovik after receiving an email Bennett sent out to school and community leaders and media contacts.

Gjovik stated she had responded to all prospective applicants that had contacted her and invited them to attend the Monday meeting for informal conversation.

Gjovik also reported that Karen Wirkkala, principal, Jonathan Tienhaara, assistant principal and business manager, and Lisa Nelson, Naselle Youth Camp School principal, had approached her to ask for time at the board meeting to present a proposal.

Board member Hollis Fletcher asked “What are you proposing?” to which Nelson replied that the administrative team had put together a proposal intended to cover the superintendent responsibilities for the 2009-2010 school year.

After executive session conversations with Pass, Smith, and the team of Wirkkala, Tienhaara, and Nelson, the board reconvened to schedule a meeting last night (Wednesday) after The Eagle had gone to press. The main agenda item was to appoint an interim superintendent.

In an emailed press release sent to school and community leaders and media contacts to announce his departure from the superintendent position, Bennett stated “The fact that I applied for the fourth grade job came as a shock to many and I can appreciate that. I have always enjoyed teaching and look forward to being back in the classroom.” Bennett has 26 years of experience as an educator.