The Observation Deck

I needed to get more independent verification on the Estrop story, so while I did that, I pulled down the thread I began at 12:12 PM.

Dr. Estrop did announce to school administrators today that he would be leaving his position as the Superintendent of the Lakewood School System at the end of this school year.

WHY??? Can you fill us in ?

I just got off the phone with Chas Geiger, president of the School Board and he told me it this way.

The other night Dr. David Estrop informed some of the members of the school board that he would be looking for work elsewhere, outside of the Lakewood School District.

Today he informed members of the administration that he was looking for work elsewhere. This was done in case the board and/or administrators heard that he was looking for work.

We have calls in with members of the board, to get other thoughts on this turn of events.

All I can add is Good luck Dr. Estrop.

Ed Favre as of 3:21pm "Recently he mentioned he could be looking. If you are looking for a superintendent's job this is the time of year to be looking. My earlier comments we based on the fact that today I had heard nothing officially.


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This is pretty sad stuff. He has been a great leader in a lot of changes in the district over the last few years. While a lot of them are already in motion or done (the new buildings, programming, etc.) it would still be nice to have his skills for a bit longer. I look forward to hearing the full story.

Im caught off guard by this too. What did Dr Estrop say when you spoke to him?
Where is the comment from "Matt"?
Sorry I must be time travelling. His comment is below mine. Whooo.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I just got off the phone with Chas Geiger, president of the School Board and he told me it this way.

The other night Dr. David Estrop informed some of the members of the school board that he would be looking for work elsewhere, outside of the Lakewood School District.

Today he informed members of the administration that he was looking for work elsewhere. This was done in case the board and/or administrators heard that he was looking for work.

We have calls in with members of the board, to get other thoughts on this turn of events.

All I can add is Good luck Dr. Estrop.

Ed Favre as of 3:21pm "Recently he mentioned he could be looking. If you are looking for a superintendent's job this is the time of year to be looking. My earlier comments we based on the fact that today I had heard nothing officially.


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Jim,

All school board members were aware that Dr. Estrop may look to explore other opportunities prior to today. However, as with Ed, the first that I heard that Dr. Estrop had officially announced to his administration that he was officially exploring those opportunities was when the news was posted today on the Observation Deck. Great job in breaking the news! And, as Ed stated, this is the time of the year when administrators explore their options.

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:
Jim,

All school board members were aware that Dr. Estrop may look to explore other opportunities prior to today. However, as with Ed, the first that I heard that Dr. Estrop had officially announced to his administration that he was officially exploring those opportunities was when the news was posted today on the Observation Deck. Great job in breaking the news! And, as Ed stated, this is the time of the year when administrators explore their options.

Matt

Matt

As always thank you for jumping in.

I have to thank all "Observers" it is funny how phones and computers light up. I also noticed that the "other" sources seemed to follow our stories complete with changes as we developed leads.

My question is, especially with recent quotes to come to life.

1) Where does this leave us?

We have spent $25 mill on new schools, only to have the Superintendent say ""Given events that have developed in the district over the last two to three months, my wife Virginia and I have decided it is no longer in our interest for me to remain in the Lakewood schools,"

2) Are you aware of any of these "events"?

As proud Lakewoodites, we invest heavily in our schools. Are we missing something, that is obvious?


Thanks as always your honesty and candor is always appreciated.



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Dee Martinez wrote:Im caught off guard by this too. What did Dr Estrop say when you spoke to him?
Where is the comment from "Matt"?
Sorry I must be time travelling. His comment is below mine. Whooo.

Dee,

I deleted my quote while editing, which is why it is now below your quote. Sorry.

Matt

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Matthew John Markling wrote:
Jim,

All school board members were aware that Dr. Estrop may look to explore other opportunities prior to today. However, as with Ed, the first that I heard that Dr. Estrop had officially announced to his administration that he was officially exploring those opportunities was when the news was posted today on the Observation Deck. Great job in breaking the news! And, as Ed stated, this is the time of the year when administrators explore their options.

Matt

Matt

As always thank you for jumping in.

I have to thank all "Observers" it is funny how phones and computers light up. I also noticed that the "other" sources seemed to follow our stories complete with changes as we developed leads.

My question is, especially with recent quotes to come to life.

1) Where does this leave us?

We have spent $25 mill on new schools, only to have the Superintendent say ""Given events that have developed in the district over the last two to three months, my wife Virginia and I have decided it is no longer in our interest for me to remain in the Lakewood schools,"

2) Are you aware of any of these "events"?

As proud Lakewoodites, we invest heavily in our schools. Are we missing something, that is obvious?


Thanks as always your honesty and candor is always appreciated.



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Jim,

Thank you for the kind words.

I am not aware of the developments referenced in the quote attributed to Dr. Estrop in other sources.

But, I can say that there is no other school district that I would rather send my children to than the Lakewood City School District!

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:
I am not aware of the developments referenced in the quote attributed to Dr. Estrop in other sources.

But, I can say that there is no other school district that I would rather send my children to than the Lakewood City School District!

Matt

While I appreciate your dedication to the schools, and the light of day.

Where does this leaves us?

While I hope Dr. Estrop finds the job of his dreams, that suit his "interest."

What does the school board do, in their "interest" and more importantly "the interest of the children and the latest $25 million investment in our "interest."

Also what is the "interest" of the school board in over seeing the day to day actions of a superintendent that has lost "interest" due to recent "events."

I do hope Dave does well, but MY INTERESTS are here in Lakewood.


FWIW


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Jim--

Where is the "no longer in our interest" quote from? That is a stunning choice of words.

Mike Deneen wrote:Jim--

Where is the "no longer in our interest" quote from? That is a stunning choice of words.

Interview with PD/Sun.


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Sad news. He has brought a lot of positive things to this city and done a great deal to push this school district into the 21st century.

I'll miss the guy, shoes or no shoes.

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:I'll miss the guy, shoes or no shoes.

Ivor


You know I am sitting here thinking.


Operating Levy approved

New Schools Phase One Approved

New Schools Phase Two Approved

Personal Four Year Contract, just approved.


"Not in our interest..."

"recent events..."


?



peace/....

I've watched Dr. Estrop's guidance of the school system and was very satisfied with how the schools were handled. I hope he reconsiders his decision to explore opportunities and also wonder what is prompting it.

I believe he understands our community and what makes it tick - and more importantly, what makes the a school system in this community work. It's a shame that a quality administrator feels as though there is a better opportunity elsewhere.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:
"Not in our interest..."

"recent events..."

That's what has me wondering...there is something strange going on here.