Principal’s Demotion Threatens Levy Sandpoint Parents Say Shake-Up At High School Will Influence Vote

What do a $5.6 million school levy and the demotion of a popular Sandpoint High School principal have in common?

Nothing, say district officials.

But patrons, upset by the ouster of Principal A.C. Woolnough, say the controversial decision is the death knell for an upcoming levy.

“There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. What happened to Woolnough is going to bury the levy before it gets off the ground,” said resident Jerry Owens.

Owens has a daughter at the high school and has protested Woolnough’s demotion along with about 200 other patrons.

“Considering what the board did, I have no reason to support this district, and an awful lot of people feel the same way,” he said.

The board surprised residents by announcing Woolnough would be offered a teaching job at the end of the year. It cited philosophical differences and nothing more.

Woolnough has headed the high school for four years and has received high marks for his performance from past administrations.

Residents and teachers are rallying around Woolnough, saying his demotion is unfair. Some teachers at the high school are wearing black armbands. Residents took out ads in the local paper requesting Woolnough be reinstated. Others are selling “support A.C.” buttons and contributing money so Woolnough can wage a legal battle to keep his job.

School district officials now fear residents will take out their frustration on the levy, tentatively slated for late April.

“I sure hope people don’t do that,” said district business manager Steve Battenschlag. “The differences between A.C. the trustees and central office are totally separate from providing dollars for education.

“I hope people don’t hold the children hostage over this,” he said.

A levy committee has met for several months deciding how much the district needs to update textbooks, provide classroom supplies and repair neglected schools.

The proposal now calls for a two-year levy with $3.6 million earmarked for the classrooms. The rest would help build Kootenai Elementary school, pave parking lots, refurbish locker rooms and fix three school roofs as well as improve heating and fire alarm systems.

“A lot of people look for reasons to say no to levies and I’m sure some will use the issue with A.C. as a crutch,” said school board member Blaine Stevens.

“Some people are angry with the board but there are others who support our decision. To tell you the truth I’m enthused about the levy. I’m all for getting on with trying to improve education here.”

Woolnough is supposed to have a hearing before the board to contest his evaluation and complaints lodged by some parents. The board is also supposed to hear the official levy proposal in three weeks.

“I don’t know how either one of those will come out yet,” Stevens said. “But I would like to think they aren’t linked.”

Ingrid Cipriano signed an ad in support of Woolnough but is not sure if her disgust with the school board will affect how she votes.

“It is certainly bad timing and negative factor for a lot of people,” she said. “But I don’t like the thought of punishing the kids for a board decision.”

Still, Cipriano expects people to vote no on the levy, viewing it as a vote of no confidence in the administration.

Woolnough supporter, Nick Baran agreed, but said he will still push the levy.

“Punishing them financially is never constructive, it will only make things worse. But I will definitely vote for other school board members next time.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo