CdA principal seeking state schools post
In a speech punctuated with emotional pauses, Coeur d’Alene High School Principal Steve Casey announced his candidacy for state superintendent of schools Monday.
Casey said he and his wife, Linda, a registrar at Lake City High School, were getting ready to retire and spend time with their grandchildren.
“However, the opportunity to put an incredible capstone on our public service and to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of even more kids made me realize that we have more to give,” said Casey, who is running as a Republican.
A principal known for getting choked up while giving graduation speeches, Casey’s announcement was no less affecting for him.
“Education is not my hobby. It has been my passion” – he paused while he regained his composure – “for a long time.”
Casey, 56, earned degrees from the University of Idaho and has been involved in the education arena for 33 years, working as a math teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal.
If elected, Casey said, he will focus on revamping the public education system in Idaho to meet the demands of the 21st century and promoting greater student achievement. He said “no federal one-size-fits-all mandate is ever perfect,” referring to the No Child Left Behind Act, and said greater local control and decision-making are needed.
Casey also spoke about the need for safe learning environments free of drugs, gangs and violence.
His tenure as principal has been marked by innovations as well as student misbehavior.
Casey introduced senior projects and academic recognition programs and was honored as Idaho High School Principal of the Year in 2000.
But, he told The Spokesman-Review in 2002, it hurt the school when 11 teenagers were charged with videotaping themselves having sex with a 16-year-old girl. Earlier this year, a 17-year-old was arrested after allegedly sending semen-frosted brownies to a fellow student on Valentine’s Day.
Casey flew to Boise after his speech and will be visiting Lowell Scott Middle School in Meridian, where he held his first teaching job.
The state superintendent of public instruction serves a four-year term. Incumbent Marilyn Howard said in October she will not run for re-election.
Besides Casey, two other Republicans and two Democrats have indicated their intent to run. The Republicans are state Rep. Steve Smylie of Boise and Tom Luna, a Nampa businessman; the Democrats are Jana Jones, chief deputy at the Idaho Department of Education, and state Sen. Bert Marley of McCammon, who is set to kick off his campaign with a formal announcement today.
The primary election will be in May, with the general election to be held next November.