News

MASB advises re-vote of Corunna board's superintendent selection

By GARY WEBSTER Argus-Press Education Editor

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 9:56 AM EDT

CORUNNA - Mark Miller's selection as superintendent of Corunna Public Schools has been set aside pending a re-vote during a special 7 p.m. board meeting Thursday in the media center of Corunna High School.

Miller was picked to succeed John Smith on a 4-3 paper vote and a subsequent 5-2 verbal vote at the Sept. 24 board meeting.

Michigan Association of School Boards lawyers have reportedly determined that the paper vote conducted by MASB field services director Carl Hartman was a violation of Michigan's Open Meetings Act because it was not revealed which board members - Frank Vyskocil, Tom Terry, Linda LeCureux, Brenda Walworth, Maureen Stanley, Gary Bendall and Jim Lockwood - voted for Miller and which voted for Kevin Murphy.

The follow-up voice vote found Vyskocil and Walworth favoring Murphy, with one of the paper-ballot voters apparently switching from Murphy to Miller.

Miller, superintendent of Byron Public Schools for 11 years and a past teacher/administrator for Corunna schools, accepted the CPS superintendent's position Sept. 25 and a tentative contract agreement was reached prior to the MASB advisement of Thursday's re-vote.

Also on Thursday's special meeting agenda is discussion of the superintendent's salary.

Murphy, a graduate of Durand High School, is principal at Rogers Lane Elementary School in Wyoming, Mich.

Smith, whose last day on the job was Tuesday, was superintendent of Corunna Public Schools for 13 years. He announced his retirement at the regular June board meeting.

Comment on this Story

Concerned wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:23 AM:

" Far away cavalier...sure glad you are far away..doesn't seem to me that you are a very dedicated Cavalier..Let's move on, enough of the mudslinging..Let's grow up and accept what has happened. One man cannot do this alone..I'm sure that you have some enemies too. No one has considered that whaterever negative mentions were made that there was a possibility the other person could have also been at fault. You don't know and I don't either. Is it up to Grandma and Grandpa to make your children happy...no...it's up to you the parent...so if teachers are happy doesn't that pass on down to the students....one man cannot due it all....Let's end this and move on as any adult should. "

far away cavalier wrote on Oct 6, 2008 1:01 PM:

" Oh, and Future Educator...you care about the STUDENTS...go to a district that appreciates your dedication to them and has the same values. Fortunatly, Corunna won't be one of them anymore. They'll be more worried about beefing up the benefit package for the teachers. "

far away cavalier wrote on Oct 6, 2008 12:59 PM:

" Corunna will become the butt of the jokes like Durand and Byron are. I'm with Future Educator...everyone wanted to come to Corunna and be a Cavalier. Now they'll be heading to Byron since Miller is out. Homecoming game with the introduction of the "new, fantastic, hard-working, making teachers happy" superintendent will be tons of fun. Mr. Miller, if you are all about "making teachers happy," please, re-prioritize your points. You should be about making the STUDENTS first. The same goes with the school board. Frankly, some board members are their for their personal gain and not for the district. You know who you are. "

Get over it wrote on Oct 6, 2008 11:40 AM:

" I was at the board meeting in May and I do not think Mr. Mitosinka was called a "poor" loser. I believe the words were spoiled sport. I do not consider that to be name calling. Four of the board members have not appreciated the fact that we the public voted her in. They act like spoiled brats and have gotten their way for so long that when someone finally challenged them they did not like it so they lashed out. This past meeting was not exception. The board president and secretary knew they could not vote by paper ballot but I hear the board president is the person who asked for a paper ballot. Shame on you Mr. President. You of all people should know the rules since you have been there the longest. Shame on the board secretary. She knew the rules too and if she was so good at her job she could have stopped it. Let us all put this thing to rest because we all want our district to remain number ONE!! For the most part, we have a great bunch of people working here. Can they do better, yes but it might take some changing on their part. "

concerned voter wrote on Oct 6, 2008 10:25 AM:

" future educator..I agree completely with Concerned that you should not become one. Some of the education team were very unprofessional but I guess I would be too if I were worried about my job performances. I think Corunna schools will be just fine under the direction of Dr. Miller. No one forced Mr. Smith to retire. As I recall, he decided that on his own. At least Mrs. LeCureux did not come to a meeting prepared to chastise another board member. Was there a violation of the open meetings act that month too? How else would you explain someone bringing a prepared written statement just in case it was brought up or better yet a newspaper to wave around. Like I said, she handled herself with class that night in May. Yes, she probably should not have said what she said but she stopped herself from going down to the other board member's level. As one of the people in the audience, I was embarrassed for her and the other board member who did not know what was going to happen. I was also embarrassed for the Corunna Public Schools. THe board president could and should have stopped the witch hunt but then when you are one of the gang things like that happen. Let us all move on from this and work on making the school district the best in the county. "

Concerned wrote on Oct 4, 2008 7:11 AM:

" Future educator...don't become one..I watched some of the education team at the superintendent meetings and saw some of the most unprofessional acts I ever want to see in education, these were also by board members. If I could have asked Mr. Miller how many of these he knew or knew him...(not know OF him) he probably could have counted them on one hand. Teachers are a one to one with children, they are the foot steps of our future and seeing all of this during those meetings, I am not sure who is teaching who...there were alot of childish acts. If you know Mr. Miller on a work or personal basis then you have a point of view...but if it's hearsay from friend or relative...JUDGE NOT...don't become a teacher..I wouldn't want you for my children. "

Future Educator wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:43 PM:

" Well Concerned Voter,
Mrs. LeCureux handled the matter with class? I guess that's your opinion, as well...let's not forget her comment to Mr. Mitosinka a few months ago when she called him a "poor loser" DURING the meeting for simply questioning her accusations that the board violated the Open Meetings Act in the past. I do not recall Mr. Mitosinka calling Mrs. LeCureux any names, do you?
And you want change, do you? As a future educator, myself, I am actually concerned for Corunna Public Schools. Corunna has been the leading district in the county for over 10 years, due to great leaders like Mr. Smith, the school board, as well as administrators, teachers, and the rest of the faculty. Now that Dr. Miller is the superintendent and there is such a wonderful change to the school board, I'm not so sure that Corunna will be that district that other schools strive to be like and the one teachers long to teach for. So, Concerned Voter, you got your "change" you wanted with Mr. Mitosinka and Mr. Smith gone...now what will happen to Corunna Public Schools? "

Concerned wrote on Oct 3, 2008 1:42 PM:

" I feel "District Tax Payer" owes Mrs. LeCureux an apology as it was explained that an Open Meetings Act was not violated...Always remember four fingers are pointing at you when you point one. "

concerned voter wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:24 PM:

" Forgot to add something to my first blog. I must say one of the board members took the comments that were directed at her from Mr. Mitosinka very well last night. She handled the matter very well and with class. She did not go down to his level and I respect that. Now to the other board members. Take a lesson from her and act just as well. Remember, we voted you in and can easily vote you out. For those of you coming up for re-election, the voters are watching your actions and treatment of others very closely. It is time for the good ole boys to work for us taxpayers. Good luck Dr. Miller and be careful of some of the board members you will be working for. They do not have what is good for the district in their vocabulary. "

concerned voter wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:29 AM:

" Well, I was at the meeting last night and low and behold the blog writer concerned district tax payer just happens to be John Mitosinka a former board member who lost his re-election in May. He just happened to read the same statement that appears in this blog. Why did the board president allow this to happen? He has been on the board the longest so he should be very aware of the rules. What about the board secretary? She claimed at the May meeting that she was offended by Mrs. LeCureux's statement because it is her responsibility to make sure everything is legal. Did she sleep too? It appears Mr. Mitosinka that you have a personal problem with Mrs. LeCureux that you need to get over. She was elected with the most votes for a reason. Where did you rate? Oops that's right you weren't the top two. In fact, I believe you came in third and not even close to the other two. Shouldn't the rest of the board been aware of this too? I think this was a set up by some of the board members. is there a conspiracy going on behind the scene? It is easier to blame someone who is concerned about this school district. The people wanted a change and she was elected along with Mr. Lockwood. Well, Mr. Mitosinka it is time for you to move on. The voters made it very clear that we wanted you gone and our wish came true. Is it time to clean house with the other four old timers? "

AGAIN wrote on Oct 2, 2008 6:55 PM:

" Wouldn't it be a laugh if a guy from Durand was in charge of Corunna schools! "

hey u wrote on Oct 2, 2008 6:52 PM:

" you people wfuawd! "

BigBrother wrote on Oct 2, 2008 5:23 PM:

" I wonder if Frank V will change his board seating arrangement now that John Smith is gone. I think we know who kept Miller off the first time he went for the supt. spot 10 years ago. The board needs to openly vote, even if it is awkward. "

Concerned District Tax Payer wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:28 AM:

" Well Mrs. LeCureux it appears you were sleeping at the switch at the meeting when the paper ballots were used for voting , because in an article in the Argus Press on 5-1-08 when you were running for re-election this is your quote “I will also continue to make sure the board follows all rules, regulations and laws including the Open Meetings Act, Which had been violated in the past.” With your paper vote it appears you were in violation of the Act. Board policy 0167.1 – Voting All actions requiring a vote may be conducted by voice, show of hands, or roll call provided that the vote of each member be recorded. Proxy voting shall not be permitted. Any member may request that the Board be polled.
You did not live up to your promise to the voters. What a shame especially when you received the most votes. "

Yogi Berra wrote on Oct 1, 2008 6:51 PM:

" It ain't over till it's over. "