CHIMACUM — Parents and other residents filled the Chimacum High School library to show support for a principal who has resigned, effective at the end of the school year.
Parents at the Wednesday night School Board meeting praised Chimacum Creek Primary Principal Kalie Enlow as an excellent principal and told the board they are not happy with what they described as her “forced” departure.
Won’t discuss matter
Members of the School Board and administration did not say that Enlow was asked to resign, saying that they could not discuss personnel matters with the group of about 75 people.
In her resignation letter dated Dec. 21, Enlow — who has been employed by the district for three years — wrote that she “appreciate[s] all the opportunities and experiences I have gained during the three years I’ve been here. CCP is full of amazing teachers and support staff, and I feel privileged to have worked with them.”
She did not say why she was resigning and could not be reached for comment about her decision to leave the district.
Parent Jubilee Metcalf’s comments summarized the thoughts expressed by seven people who addressed the board, all asking that Enlow’s resignation be rejected and that any personnel action be put on hold until after hearing from the community.
“I was quite shocked to hear of Kalie Enlow being asked to resign,” Metcalf said. “This is hard to take. The system is not doing so good and getting rid of the bright stars is not the way to make it better.
“I’m hoping you listen to us and understand the impact on the community as a whole.”
No changes were made to the consent agenda and Enlow’s resignation was unanimously approved by the board.
Parent Rebecca Bannister said she supports teachers rather than the administration and that she disagrees with administrative decisions.
Bannister said she “feared there will be a mass exodus of students” due to the changes that are being considered and the leadership that is in place.
Board President Mike Gould told the group of residents — some with infants and older children —that declining enrollment is forcing decisions about consolidating facilities, reconfiguring grades in those buildings, and adjusting staffing levels.
“In 1995, this school district and this county looked different,” he said. “The school district had 1,500 students. There was discussion if we had enough space. Now the number is 800 and you can’t do things the same way.”
“The focus is clear on what needs to be done,” he continued. “Addressing these issues is hard, ugly and thankless, and the work is often misconstrued by those who are unable to consider all of the information, particularly challenges related to employment.”
In announcing changes because of declining enrollment, the district said that effective July 1, principal assignments would change. The K-2 principal position is open and will be filled by July 1, the district said.
The elementary school principal for third through sixth grades will be Jason Lynch. The middle school principal for seventh through 12th grades will be David Cathum.
Gould said that there is complexity in the limitation imposed by the confidentiality in personnel matters.
“Sometimes it seems like that miscommunication and the lack of transparency is deepened by the limitations that are imposed by our law, particularly our employment laws,” he said.
“So many times in the absence of information, rumors become the currency.”
He explained that employment action “must be handled with appropriate confidentiality, and with consistency of state law and employment rights.”
“Tonight, and any other night, we cannot discuss or allow the discussion of concepts that include, but are not limited to, job performance, evaluation results, an individual’s career aspirations, the contents of an individual’s personnel file, individual factors regarding a person’s employment or actions related to their employment, concerns about why one candidate was hired over another or why one employee was laid off rather than another.” Gould said.
”These things, although valuable information and important in drawing conclusions about the leadership of an organization, are things that law prohibits from being make public.”
Gould said the five school board members have equal power, but that his job has unique responsibilities.
“I’m the chair of this board and it’s my responsibility to lead this board. And the superintendent reports to us,” he said.
He asked that everyone understand the impact of confidential information, and that any actions should be directed at him.
“I have the gavel,” Gould said.
“We need to be clear. This is a difficult decision. It’s not what the majority of the people in the room favor. There is good reason, there is significant diligence and if you’re not happy with the decision, let’s not be confused where responsibility lies. I own it.
“You can rest assured that as long as I have this gavel, and these four fellow directors, we will not allow state law to be violated by discussions of personnel matters of any employee. We will not.
“When we don’t agree, when times get tough, I’m here to lead with clarity as long as you’ll have me,” he continued.
”And you have choices. My position is up for election in November. With a little patience, you can just vote me out. With any patience, you can file a recall to take my position as soon as tomorrow.
“Or if you determine that immediate resignation is necessary, that immediate resignation should be mine. And you have my promise, it will not be unreasonably withheld.”
The consent agenda vote was the first one for new board member Mike Raymond who was given the oath of office by Superintendent Rick Thompson. Raymond is filling the unexpired term of Robert Bunker. The position will be on the November ballot.
After the meeting, Raymond said he would make a decision about running for a full term in the next few weeks.
“I want to give back to the community and this was one way I feel I can contribute. I have years of school experience both as a teacher and with administration duties, and I have a unique perspective. I can see issues from all sides.”
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com
