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Show Thursday, February 21, 1980 Page 2 Editorial Solve The Mystery HowabouHl? titers Last week untenured Carl Winters Middle School teachers Carolyn Southerlin and Dianne Vance were denied renewal of their contracts in a meeting of the Park City School Board. The dismissed teachers were never given specific criticisms of their performance. They only knew that, after years of ex-cellantly ex-cellantly rated tenured performance in other states and two-and-a-half years of probationary teaching in Park City, they did not fulfill the high standards of Middle School Principal Dr. Otis Fall, and their contracts would not be renewed for next year. Those high standards, the principal has repeatedly stated, if vaguely, are that the best teachers attainable at-tainable should constitute the Middle School teaching staff. The school board was in legal right to dismiss Southerlin and Vance without explanation, without a hearing, without giving the two instructors an opportunity to remedy their shortcomings and Dr. Falls seems to be the only one that knows what those are. A 1976 Utah Supreme Court decision allows school districts to fire probationary teachers those that have taught in a district for less than three years without such 'due process' rights. That's what the 1976 decision permits, but school districts across the state have taken their own initiative to grant untenured teachers some or all of the due process rights enjoyed by tenured instructors. But not progressive Park City. Here the district does not recognize the merits in giving new teachers due process rights. To do so would complicate com-plicate the now easy way to handle any problems with probationary instructors just fire and hire. True the board has a point when it says due process would be a time consuming operation. And, there is merit in the argument that giving an outline of reasons for dismissing a probationary teacher could lead to endless arguing over whether the reasons for dismissal are reason enough. But, we feel, more cogent is the case for giving a dismissed teacher an account of specific complaints. The most basic right of all is the right of an 'accused' to hear the 'charges.' We think of all the due process rights denied to Vance and Southerlin in their dismissal, the most unjustified was the refusal to give specific reasons for the action. Southerlin and Vance claim never to have heard any complaint com-plaint about their professional performance at the Middle School in their two years of teaching before Dr. Falls assumed the principalship. After Dr. Falls became principal this year, he had half a school year to evaluate the performance perfor-mance of the two teachers. If he found them wanting, why didn't he tell them prior to giving them notice on Jan. 28 that he would recommend to the school board they be dismissed? Not to do so prevented Vance and Southerlin from trying to rectify any deficiency, as viewed by the principal. Dr. Falls says the probationary period for teachers is just like the trial period for the beginners in any job. But don't boss's, as a matter of course for the good of the business and to aid the beginning worker in his tasks, provide beginners with constructive criticism? It seems only fair to inform an employee employ-ee of his or her shortcomings so the employee can remedy the situation. To do so gives not only the employee in question a chance to improve, it gives all the employees a better idea what the boss expects in performance and attitude. Were the Park City School Board to grant probationary teachers facing dismissal the basic right to hear a listing of the reasons, it would give other teachers seeking jobs with the district, and the parents of local school children, a better grasp of what the professional standards are for district teachers in each of the three schools. And it just might encourage en-courage the administration of each school to work out any problems with teachers before the drastic step of dismissal. Dismissal without explanation causes confusion and fear of job security among the district's many untenured instructors. instruc-tors. Dr. Falls says he can fill the Southerlin and Vance vacancies vacan-cies with any of 100 to 150 applicants. Are the district's untenured un-tenured teachers to link that bit of information with the denial of due process rights and come to the conclusion that 'I can hold on to my teaching job as long as I perform well or until some out-of -district teacher with a string of degrees and a resume more impressive than mine apply for my position'? If that's the case, then Park City's new teachers have reason to fear for their jobs; and the multitude of outside professionals applying for a teaching job in Park City would be wise to reconsider their applications. For the sake of improving administrationteacher and administrationpublic communication, to improve teaching staff cohesiveness and allay the justified fears for job security that the recent teacher dismissal case has sparked among local teachers, we urge the Park City School Board to stop setting themselves apart and enshrouding their dismissal decisions in mystery. The board needs to give new teachers a chance to hear of any administration complaints of their performance, a chance to improve any professional faults it's the most basic, and just, right of all. CBE fi (USPS 378-730) ) V SUBSCRIPTION KATtlS J St) .i vcai in Summit Coumv SI2 a vcai outside Summit Cduiiiv PUBLISHERS: Ink, Inc. Jan Wilking Editor Bettina Moench Advertising Manager Jan Wilking Advertising Sandi McClintock General Manager Terry Hogan Business Manager Rick Lanman Graphics Bobbye Jean Mueller Monica Faltisek Donna Pouquette Reporters David Hampshire Conrad Elliott Typesetting Phyllis Rubenstein Kathy Deakin Dixie Bishop Contributing Photographer Phyllis Rubenstein Subscriptions Tammy Clark Entered as second-class matter May 25, 1977, at the post office in Park City. Utah 84060, under the Act of March 3, 1897. Published every Thursday at Park City, UTah. Second-class postage paid at Park City. Utah. Pictures, news and advertising may be submitted prior to the Tuesday-publication Tuesday-publication deadline at our office 419 Main Street in Park City, by mail P.O Box 738, Park City 84060 or by calling our office 1801 ) 649-9014. Publication material must be received by Tuesday afternoon for Thursday publication. ft 4 A J k Bruce Reid ftt A't rx: i Pat Robinson 5 , , Carla Berreu A board recently was established to survey sur-vey city recreation needs. What would you consider to be a top priority? Bruce Reid Coordinated, organized youth programs for the summer in a variety of sports, such as Little League baseball, softball, basketball basket-ball and even flag football. I think the city already has good facilities. It's a matter of using them. I Jeff Smith A swimming pool. And something like a teenage softball league would be good. Pat Robinson I think we could use a softball league for teenagers. Vicki Gurski We need a swimming pool, definitely. And more things for kids to do, like a better bowling alley. And maybe some kind of dancing facilities for teenagers. Carla Berrett A swimming pool. That's the thing I'd like to see. David Neu I would say a community swimming swim-ming pool would be the first priority. And possibly an ice skating rink. I'd like to see more programs with a reasonable admission cost for those people who can't afford athletic club memberships; mem-berships; programs such as weight training and possibly racquetball. f r ' ' ' 1 I -' "I . : . i r f ' J Jeff Smith I Vicki Gurski li David Neu $uMtc JStottcetf CHAMBER BOARD MEETING To be held Thursday, Feb. 28, 8 a.m. We will meet for breakfast at the Cafe Ritz, 402 Main Street. Reservations are required; please call the Chamber at 649-8899. , I - '; 1 NEW LIBRARY HOURS Violet Terry, head librarian, announces new hours for the Park City Library for a trial period starting immediately. Tuesday Noon-8 p.m. Wednesday 4 : (Ml p. m .-8 : 00 p.m. Thursday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Friday 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Requests for added hours have been received and it is hoped the public will avail themselves of the extra hours. CAR POOLS A free car pool match-up service is now available to Summit County commuter residents. resi-dents. Interested persons should call 649-940:$ evenings. BROOMBALL TOURNAMENT 1st Annual Gorgoza Broomball Town Team Tournament. Be at the Parley Summit Skating Rink leap year night Fri., Feb. 29, 7 p.m. Teams of 6 will battle it out on the ice with brooms but NO SKATES. Call P.C. Rec. Dept. 649-9461 for information. CHAMBER VOLUNTEERS The Chamber of Commerce welcomes volunteers volun-teers for much needed help with office work. Find out what's happening in the community, and give us a hand at the same time. Please call the Park City Chamber at 649-8899. DISABILITIES PROGRAM The Summit County Developmental Disabilities Program still has openings for children from birth to 5 years who have delays in their motor, language or cognitiv e development. If you think your child may qualify and benefit from our program, please call Shay Clegg (649-9684) (649-9684) or Barb Dyer (649-9881). A United Way Agency. BUS ROUTE SURVEY The Park City Citizen's Council is attempting to determine whether there exists a need for mass transit between Park City and other regional population centers, primarily Salt Lake City. During the next few weeks, a survey will be conducted. Sign-up lists will be available at Mount Air Market, Alpha Beta, 7-11, and the Park City Post Office. All those who feel that they would utilize a public transportation system are urged to sign the lists at these locations or by calling 649-9403 evenings. In this way, it can be determined if sufficient need exists to warrant continued steps toward establishing inter-city bus routes to and from Park City. IMMUNIZATIONS CLINIC An Immunization Clinic will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Health Department's office located at Marsac Elementary School. This clinic offers free immunizations im-munizations with the exception of the mumps. The Summit County Health Department encourages en-courages those families receving notices concerning con-cerning immunizations take advantage of this clinic. For students in the Park City School District, it is important to note that the measles immunization given prior to 1970 should be repeated. And that the tetanus immunization should be repeated every ten years. For more information please call the Health Department at 649-9072. NEWCOMERS TEA Fashion Show and Tea March 5 at 12:30 p.m. Folksinger and models will be presented by Janet Strong, clothes by Foxy Lady. This will be held at the Snowflower Condominium Con-dominium Club House. Come and get into the mood of a spring fling. $5 charge includes tea and light refreshments. For reservations call Sue Worley 649-6520 or Evelyn Hathorn, 649-7830. Thanks, Anyway Editor: For the past two-and-one-half years I have been teaching Language Arts in the Carl Winters Middle School. During that time I have worked very hard at my chosen profession. This is my tenth year in education, educa-tion, and I feel that I have always done a good job. I feel that the students who have participated in my classes have benefited from my efforts to improve their written and spoken communication. com-munication. For the past 3 weeks this idea has been reinforced by the concern and support that I have received from much of the Park City community who were upset and dismayed about the decision of the Board of Education not to renew my teaching contract for the comina school vear I would like to thank all of the concerned residents who attended the Board of Education Edu-cation meeting on Feb. 12. Special thanks go to Pat VanWaggoner, Susie Williams, Wil-liams, Kent Larsen, Bob Fratto, Dave Chaplin, and the Utah Education Association Associa-tion who all helped me through a very bewildering and upsetting time. Most of all I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the students of the middle school who have been so understanding on a personal level and who have come to realize the importance of good teachers in the educational educa-tional system. Sincerely, Carolyn R. Southerlin Teacher, Carl Winters Middle School Snow Job Nods Editor: Sincere appreciation is extended ex-tended to Mayor Jack Green, City Supervisor Leon Uriarte and the Park City snow removal crews for their efforts Tuesday, January 29. With an ongoing heavy snowfall the Superintendent of Schools declared a minimum mini-mum day of school with all students to be transportated home at 1:00 p.m. Mayor Green called several times during the working hours to offer any City assistance needed in clearing clear-ing bus lanes at Marsac. The snow removal crews completely comp-letely cleared Swede Alley so that buses could depart as scheduled and children arrived ar-rived home safely. On behalf of the Park City School District Administration Administra-tion and patrons. Thank You! Despite Apathy, Minerettes Are Champs To the apathetic: Park City High School has won yet another regional sports championship this year, a championship hampered hamp-ered by obstacles every step of the way. On Saturday, Satur-day, Feb. 16, the girls basketball team faced a highly touted Altamont team on Altamont's spectator-packed spectator-packed home court and snatched victory from the Longhorns within the final ten seconds of the game. With the exception of the fine coaching of Bob Burns, these girls have had few advantages from the very start of the season. Coach Burns is to be commended for his professional expertise, exper-tise, his high standards of sportsmanship and his sometimes some-times unique motivating strategies that brought this group of young women from a solitary victory last year to a regional championship this year. Before the competitive season sea-son ever started, the girls were forced to change both their academic and training schedules and to relinquish their assigned training facility facil-ity to accommodate other athletic programs at PCHS. At the tme, they had no choice and few advocates. As for the myth of athletic glory, that can't be what motivates these fine young athletes since their games are virtually unattended and the press coverage is minimal. mini-mal. Nine times out of ten when they play to the cheers of a packed arena, the crowd is vehemently partisan for the other side. Where other athletic teams at PCHS are embellished by cheerleaders, cheerlead-ers, drill teams and other spirit support such as their own parents, principal, student stu-dent body and rooters, the Minerettes have had to rely almost totally on their own spirit. They continue to train, compete, urge their minds and bodies to the ultimate competitive levels with only their mutual moral support and that of their coach. Still, they put together a string of victories that brought them to the championship cham-pionship of Region 11. It was a championship game they almost missed due to a final snafu. The bus arranged to transport them comfortably on the 240-mile round trip to Altamont was inexplicably unavailable at the last moment. With no access to the bus garage at the eleventh hour, the competitors com-petitors were crammed into two passenger vehicles for the trip. As spectators at the decisive deci-sive cliffhanger at Altamont where we were outnumbered 100 to 1 and at almost every game this season, we regret that more Park City parents and boosters did not lend their support and energy. In this Olympic year, certainly these young women epitomize epito-mize the finest qualities of the Olympic ideal, athletic competition for its own sake as a developer of the mind, the body and the character-Susan character-Susan Byer, Carmella Byer, Danelle Gardner, Kay Rummer, Rum-mer, Stephanie Gebauer, Madge Marcellin, Berna-dette Berna-dette Ott, Mickey Roach, Cathy Ulrich, Erika Schni-rel, Schni-rel, Laura Stevern, Mgr. Ladies, it's been a rare privilege! Good luck at State! Sincerely Bob and Pat Whitfield to we : evefzeows .dOT IDHAT ABOUT A WW ATA PARTY $tfiS to ue:'eveRwcxvs eor umr n&ot. THf MKWX Wl? t W lJ?VBO?V BOT WHAT ABOUT Hg ev6few oar FOR FEgg" even foe CORRECTED DATE Solar Seminar will be February 25, Monday 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. any questions Call Jim 649-7244 fl 111 buDScrme Jf |