Characteristic #1 – Inspires Trust

 

As we examine the qualification and past actions of Dan McMinimee, the DougCo assistant superintendent, who was just selected in a 3 to 2 vote as the one and only finalist for the Jeffco superintendent position, we should look back on the path the community took to get here.

Back on April 1, Ray & Assoc., the superintendent search firm, presented to the Board and the community the results of a survey  that was used to build a “profile” of the 10 most desirable characteristics of a superintendent.The survey was completed by parents, Jeffco staff, students and the board. The #1 characteristic selected was “inspires trust, has high levels of self-confidence and optimism, and models high standards of integrity and personal performance.”

I think its safe to say that in the deliberations over the various superintendent finalists, Lesley Dahlkemper and Jill Fellman probably pointed out to Witt, Newkirk and Williams that McMinimee would not fit the #1 desirable characteristic. It cannot be said that Mr. McMinimee inspires trust, or possibly has a high standard of personal performance.  He was reportedly the chief negotiator when the DougCo school board killed the Douglas County school district’s teachers union. He was assistant superintendent of the school district that whole-heartedly supports using taxpayer dollars to offer private school vouchers to students – something the Jeffco community does not support. Again, not very trust-building. I won't go into the recent investigations of DougCo for treatment of immigrant students and misuse of transportation funds. Maybe Witt thinks that "inspires trust" only applies to his feelings.

Ken Witt has said he is looking for a superintendent that will support the Board's Ends Goals. Witt, Newkirk and Williams are constantly beating the drum about their Ends Goal to raise third grade reading scores. Well, their new selection for superintendent currently works for a school district that hasn’t seen an increase in third-grade reading scores since 2009. This year, DougCo saw 2.5 percentage point decrease in third-graders reading at the proficient level. Excuse me Mr. Witt, but you might want to re-think that comment you made about Mr. McMinimee's "strong commitment to academic achievement."  I will concede that commitment and success are two different things.

I’m trying real hard to convince myself to give Dan McMinimee a chance, but it’s a tough sell just based on his past performance and the actions of the school district he has supported for the past four years.  I heard Witt say “we are not DougCo,” but he acts like he wants Jeffco to be just like that district.

I do know that, again Witt, Newkirk and Williams (WNW) have acted poorly and let the community down.  Two board members did not support Mr. McMinimee, and that speaks volumes.