Savage Pacer - District 719 superintendent plans to step down - Comments

Westerhaus was really nice

Chris Brown — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:42:07 -0500

Westerhaus was really nice person and all he done in six years for school is unforgettable i know him since he join and what ever he did is in favor of school along all board member now as he don't want to say in district so he must be given a warm good bye and best wish if he join some other state school i know him personally i was doing my cpm certification few years ago after this i went for more education to NY city to complete my network+ certification and on returning after several years now he is moving but i would say that where ever he will live board member will remember his services and i would like to say warm welcome to MR. Lind for taking new appointment for school and hoping to meet him after my cisa exam and he will work well for school as i can hope so.

Release Your File, Chris. I

gundies — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:00:41 -0600

Release Your File, Chris.

I do not know Chris Lind. I have seen him only once, and that was last night at the School Board meeting. He was easy to pick out - he was the guy (along with his little sidekick) who steadfastly refused to so much as stand up in recognition of Tom Westerhouse when everyone else in the building was standing and applauding. Class act.

Much has been said about why Chris Lind was fired, but it all comes out fragmented or slanted in one way or another. Chris claims he was wronged; the district claims he persistently violated the terms of his employment. Supporters of Chris Lind’s claim that he is being persecuted for his religious beliefs; his detractors believe he is just hiding behind them to grind his personal axe against the district.

There is only one way for the truth to be told. Chris Lind has the ability to release his personnel file to the public. Release your file Chris, and let both sides see what the facts are. There should be no reason to fear the facts…right?

So Christians are now a

Savage Guy — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 07:56:44 -0600

So Christians are now a "radical constituency". You can't make it up. Only in America, where most schools were originally established by Christians (including "public" schools).

When any employer seeks to restrict free speech and freedom of religion outside the workplace, that employer should expect a backlash. First amendment rights are fundamental to who we are as a country. You mess with those, you will hear about it, plain and simple.

If you doubt that they sought to restrict his off-campus behavior, read the following article. The notary who notarized the statement was probably a "radical constituent" as well.

http://mnfamilycouncil.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

The Lind debacle should be

rationalview — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:12:43 -0600

The Lind debacle should be embarrassing to the residents of Prior Lake and Savage. Westerhaus is known well beyond the district as an exceedingly capable leader and altogether reasonable guy. Self-righteous, religious zealots who cross the line between church and state and haughtily politicize their personal beliefs within the public school system are usually neither. Lind sounds like a guy who didn't like being told what to do, so he decided to adopt an "I'll show you" mentality by rounding up a radical constituency. Now that he's a public official, I hope his behavior is appropriately (and publicly) scrutinized. He may learn the truth behind the old maxim "Be careful what you ask for!"

Referendum Failures - There

Oppressed Underdog — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:18:29 -0600

Referendum Failures - There has been much talk over the past few days regarding the referendum failures and the impending resignation of the superintendent. It is really amazing with the wide margin of views on these topics. They range from "wacky crazy" to the "grounded logical". A lot of them here on this website, the PL American and a new blog I found called Ladies Logic which a some backlogged blogging as well.

1. Referendums - you can't keep asking for money every single year and think or "expect" to get it without doing a better job of budgeting, planning, and actually have a plan that works if the referendums fail. If the rules by the state are the cause for the needs of referendums, then go to the state and get things changed. The legislators will listen if you collaborate with other districts and make some noise. The average household can't afford the rise in taxes every year, especially the 12% rise in property taxes last year. How ridiculous is that, and Scott County's property appraisal process is out of hand, and it may be where the commissioners have a supporting roll too, but that is for another conversation.

2. Superintendent's resignation - sad and petty. I don't even know where to begin on this topic. We need him more now than ever before, and he bails because he can't face up to the result of a recommendation that was made to dismiss an employee.

3. Chris Lind's election - what is acceptable behavior is typically what is accepted by the public. Society evolves and most of the time for the good. If the masses thought that the dismissal was inappropriate, then maybe the district needs to rethink what makes policy. The attorneys don't always have the right answers either. If the district was worried about liability issues, then they need to do a better job at basic communication to the public and to Chris regarding his performance.

There are so many viewpoints, and even what I have written here may not be the best most accurate evaluation of the events that have transpired. I am frustrated with the way everything sits today, and disappointed with how people are handling these situations. It is a little reminiscent of a few years ago and the arrogance of the school district disrespecting a group of people.

We all try to do the best we can, and try to provide for our children. Even though the old guard did the best they could, we should turn the corner and get new ideas from new people that will bring new approaches to these challenges, these issues that need resolution.....we have a long road ahead!

I am sure that Chris Lind is

savagemickey — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:28:43 -0600

I am sure that Chris Lind is feeling even more self-righteous these days after not only being elected to the 719 school board, but also being instrumental in the resignation of a highly respected and competent school superintendent. I would like to remind Mr. Lind that while this district is predominantly Christian it is even more fiscally conservative judging by the unfortunate rejection of the recent levy. If Mr. Lind behaves in a manner, or tries to promote any policies that violate the constitution and involves I.S.D. 719 in any expensive litigation he will see what little support he has evaporate faster than the Holy Spirit at a Richard Dawkins’ book signing.

District 719 superintendent plans to step down

Joanna Miller — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:18:32 -0600