D-49 principals' contracts renewed

The board of Falcon School District 49 voted to renew the contracts of two popular principals who were on the chopping block until there was a student protest and a huge outcry from the public, including a recall effort.

Sandy Collins, principal at the new Vista Ridge High School, and her husband, Mike, of Sand Creek were given new contracts during a special board meeting Wednesday.

The board made no comments except to say that the contracts had been renewed.

The jam-packed crowd clapped, cheered and several yelled "power to the people." Some rushed to the back of the board room to congratulate the principals.

Tears steamed down Sandy Collins' face as people hugged her and cried with her.

Both the Collinses said they were relieved the ordeal was over.

Sandy Collins told supporters she loved them. "This is behind us. We can focus on kids. We've got a lot to do," she said, wiping her eyes.

Mike Collins said he wants everyone "to take notice how we will turn this experience into even greater momentum to show how great our school is."

Sandy Collins said that in an executive session before the announcement the board apologized to them for putting them through the ordeal.

In a surprise appearance, Grant Schmidt, the former superintendent who was ousted last month by the board, spoke during the open forum, saying he came to support the Collinses. He said there was a climate of fear in the district that needed to be repaired by the board.

He said wrongful allegations by the board had hampered his job search. There was much applause when he sat down. He said later he had felt blessed to serve Falcon and wouldn't mind being superintendent again if Falcon had a different board.

Board President Anna Bartha cautioned the next speaker Ellen Duckers to keep to agenda topics. Instead, Duckers said Schmidt and the other central administration executives should never have been chopped.

"He should have sued you," she said. As she berated the board, Bartha and Mark Shook left the room. Duckers called after them, that they "should listen to the community." The board members returned quickly when Duckers sat down.

Another speaker, Tammy Harold, was cut off by the board because she wanted to speak about the new superintendent search.

The drama began last month with the board forcing Schmidt from the superintendent's job after less than a year, and dismissing 13 executives and support staff, many who were new.

The looming firing of the principals was the last straw for many in the community. Last month students walked out of class and more than 400 parents, teachers and others protested the possible dismissal at an recent board meeting.

The board gave the Collinses, a reprieve until this meeting, saying they had to work on student achievement.

Many in the district were shocked the principals might be fired, since they were so popular, and because Sand Creek's school test scores are deemed "average" and student educational growth "typical" by the state. Vista Ridge is a new school, and assessment tests scores aren't available yet.

Activists have been working to recall two board members and field candidates for the three other seats that will be up in November.

"If they think throwing us a bone is going to stop the recall effort, well it isn't ," said Tom Harold, a parent.

Lori Ekstedt, a parent, said she was heartened that the principals were retained." But I'm going to be watching this board. We still need a recall."

The uproar over the Collinses comes amid ongoing turmoil in the district. In recent years, activists say, the district has struggled with growth as the fifth-fastest growing district in the state, board-induced administrative turnover, a decline in CSAP scores and, a dismal professional curriculum audit requested by Schmidt last fall when he started the job. The audit blamed curriculum shortcomings on the board and central administration.

Shannah Carter, a feshman at Sand Creek said she was very happy with the decision. "It means Mr. Collins will be with us every day."

Call the writer at 636-0371.