Saturday, December 4, 2010
Dr. Eric Knost Isn't Superman
Most people know by now that Dr. Knost will be taking over the Mehlville superintendent's position this summer.Many people look at the position as some sort of super-hero kinda thing. That's a problem for the district. When your expectations are unreasonable, you're doomed for failure. Eric Knost is a capable administrator. How he will do as its leader will be much more of a reflection on this community than on him.
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10 comments:
Over all I thought Terry Noble did a good job. The did make a great choice of making Dr. Knost as Superintendent. He was a very good assistant and does have a real care for the School District and I feel is best for our kids.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Knost the deputy when Jerry Chambers pushed through salary increases and other spending measures that screwed district finances? So much so that there had to be a debt-service transfer approved? In my experiences with Knost, he's nothing but a schmoozer
I don't know if he had the deputy title then, but I don't think it matters. The responsibility for those budget issues rests with the school board. They drove the idea with Jerry Chambers.
I'm not Dr. Knost's biggest fan, but calling him a schmoozer is redundant. He's a public school administrator and he's in Mehlville. That's pretty much a survival technique here. And Knost is an intelligent man. There's no doubt about it. Also, I give him credit for one thing, he made it through the Frank (Era)Error unscathed. Karl Frank, Jr. despised Knost prior to and during his early board service. He was publicly disrespectful to Knost at meetings. Now, Frank writes that "Dr. Knost has grown over the last 5 years." A lot of credit for the transition goes to Terry Noble. Frank was so infatuated with Noble that whatever he said made Frank light headed. Noble recommended Knost's promotion to deputy before even officially taking over as superintendent.
More to the point, whoever is the leader of our district will have faults. If we focus on those faults instead of how we can help then make this a better community, we will be the ones that suffer.
There is no question in my mind that Dr. Knost is best for the Mehlville School District. As far as him being a schmoozer that is a crazy statement to make when you have no idea how he will be. Some people will not give the school disrict a chance no matter what. Lets all give it a chance for the kids sake:
Dear Anonymous from December 6, 4:41...
It's impossible for me to address your experiences with me because I don't know who you are. Regardless, I would like the opportunity to change your impression and to encourage our partnership in further uniting our district with the community. I hope that's the common ground we can all build upon. I would love to hear from you and would gladly take your call. My office number is 467-5007. If I'm not available I promise to return your call. Also, my office door is open and I would gladly accept a sit-down meeting to discuss any concerns and/or suggestions you have. Blogging serves as a way to anonymously vent but in most cases it does not pave the way for courageous solutions. We have an outstanding school district and I'm willing to listen and partner with anyone who feels they have something to offer. Thank you for your time and any support you can provide.
Sincerely,
Eric D. Knost
Dr. Knost--I appreciate the invitation, one I know you have extended to the whole community. And you are correct, blogs do offer a chance at anonymity. Since you wish to address my impression, perhaps you can start with explaining this issue:
"Noble also wrote in his e-mail, "... Brent has projected decreasing fund balances to the point of an alarming level. I've been silent about this ... for the most part. The board obviously received some poor advice last June when the administration recommended raises with one-time funds. When the district decided to use one-time funds — fund balances — to pay for recurring expenses — salary increases for this year — I expected there would be trouble ahead ...''
Under the 2007-2008 budget recommended by interim Superintendent Jerry Chambers and adopted by the board, employees received 6-percent salary increases. Operating expenditures increased from $80,682,823 last year to a projected $89,272,876 at the end of the current school year."
What role did you play in this decision? Also, please explain how you hope to change the minds of the district, especially considering you have been the assistant superintendent during two massive tax increase requests that both overwhelmingly failed (97 cents in 2006, 88 cents in 2010). How have you been fiscally prudent in your time as assistant superintendent?
Stonebraker we know you are blogger 5:49 am. For one thing I looked backed at several of your old blogs and that is about the time you did your blogging. Also the coward you are, we did not expected you to call Dr. Knost in person. Why don't you give him a chance or is this like the firefighters of Mehlville and you have to intent to get along. Go back into your cave and smoke the funny stuff like you have done in the past.
Stonebraker we know you are blogger 5:49 am. For one thing I looked backed at several of your old blogs and that is about the time you did your blogging. Also the coward you are, we did not expected you to call Dr. Knost in person. Why don't you give him a chance or is this like the firefighters of Mehlville and you have to intent to get along. Go back into your cave and smoke the funny stuff like you have done in the past.
Dear Anonymous 5:49,
With all due respect, commenting to an anonymous person regarding past issues that even remotely relate to personnel would be careless and unprofessional on my part.
It will not be my intent to converse with people anonymously through blogs. Instead, I'm encouraging people to contact me directly with concerns or comments. I may comment from time to time in an attempt to reach out but in-depth conversations will be saved for other venues, including my office. I am more than willing to listen.
Thank you for any efforts on your part to help further move our school district in the right direction.
Sincerely,
Eric D. Knost
5:49 All that sounds reasonable. How about you call up Dr. Knost set up a time to talk. You can blog about it afterwards if you would like.
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