All Park Hill Board is guilty of: lack of communication

Being so close to an incompetent and chaotic Kansas City Missouri School District, it’s easy to understand the pride southern Platte County has in the quality and reputation of the Park Hill School District. As a Park Hill graduate myself, I’m very supportive of the district and know the value it represents to our community. At times it can seem the educational priorities and culture established here over a long period of time can be fragile and gone in an instant. With something important to so many, it’s easy to get emotional and jump to conclusions if someone causes us to believe the district may be in jeopardy. The recent controversy over the Park Hill School Board’s handling of their selection of the replacement for retiring Superintendent Dr. Dennis Fisher is a good example.

There are a few things which seem pretty clear to me. First, the board took their responsibility of picking a superintendent very seriously, putting countless hours into the selection process. Second, many Park Hill patrons wanted the job to go to Deputy Superintendent Mark Miles, who by most accounts is a stand-up guy and has done many good things for the district. Third, when the field was narrowed, the board did not solicit public input as it had at the beginning of the process nor did it effectively communicate updates to patrons on their progress. This was not in an effort to be disingenuous. Fourth, Dr. Scott Springston was selected as the final candidate and will be the next Superintendent, not the internal candidate Dr. Miles. This resulted in a social media frenzy fueled by an upset contingent of parents, former board members and a handful of elected officials.

Having participated in my share of interviews both as the interviewee or the interviewer, including a recent public appointment, I understand conducting such a search process can have limitless formats. It can be a very difficult task to narrow the field to one candidate in the end. Ultimately, any process chosen can be scrutinized. The difficult job Park Hill had at hand in this case was keeping candidates’ consideration private in respect to their current employment. The delicate legal aspects in regards to personnel matters like this can only be explained by their potential for lawsuits, another area we don’t want to be like Kansas City. Nonetheless, maintaining private considerations for the candidates while keeping patrons updated on the progress could have been achieved.

With that said, the process was not illegal, unethical, immoral or rushed. It was simply a political mistake: a failure to communicate. The board wholly admits it. So, as many people have asked me over recent days, why are some so upset? Aren’t there worse things by far that happen in our county and municipal governments where no one even cares to notice? Yes, but it really comes down to the intricate world of school board politics — those who participate in it, and those who unknowingly become a pawn in it.

There may be parents who were disappointed in the lack of communication and involvement. This expectation was set by regular examples of district outreach on things ranging from simply naming a new school to the input solicited on targets for tough budget cuts. When you ask what color the drapes should be, be prepared to be told how the whole room should look. There are also parents who’ve developed a close relationship with Dr. Miles and truly see him as the best choice, despite not knowing the alternatives. This is all understandable to a certain degree, but this was hardly the coup d’état of the school district some may infer. In fact, many administrators have worked in the district since Dr. Fisher’s predecessor and will continue to. A new superintendent is rarely the dramatic house cleaning we commonly see with a new President or Governor.

Either way, there were an influential few who wanted to fight this battle. Whether it was current or former board members, or other elected officials, claiming the process was done in “secret” and with “closed doors” was like yelling fire in a theater to Park Hill patrons. The process, started in October, had never been questioned until word spread Dr. Miles was not selected two weeks ago. Had their preferred choice been selected, there likely would not have been any scrutiny.

In a country where education scores are falling compared to the rest of the world, Park Hill must continue to expect more than being the best according to state standards, because they are just that, standard. Former Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson once said, “All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions.” In their decision, that’s what board members did in this case. They knew their decision would be unpopular, but still thought it best. At every level of government we ask our leaders to have backbone and do the same. In this situation, we’re seeing why it doesn’t happen often. It’s not easy to do, especially when you listen to the emotional disapproval. Threats of redemption in April’s school board elections were sharp, but hollow, as the two seats on the ballot are held by members not seeking re-election.

Board members selected for what is not likely Dr. Springton's resume, but his intangibles. In other words, it is not on where he’s been, but where he wants to take us. It’s now up to him, not the Board, to prove to us he was the right selection. One thing not in doubt, even from those most critical, is the support he’ll receive towards his success once he arrives. Park Hill patrons can’t afford anything different.

Time To Shine: Park Hill, PH South send 19 to state

For a second straight year, the only word to describe how the Park Hill and Park Hill South wrestling programs performed at the Class 4, District 4 tournament remains the same: domination. Park Hill, with 246 team points, ran away with first place while Park Hill South, with 164.5 team points, secured a safe second place finish ahead of Lee’s Summit West. The two teams will send an impressive collection of 19 wrestlers to the state tournament this weekend in Columbia with 11 coming from Park Hill and eight from Park Hill South. For both teams, it represents an improvement from their 2011 results as both are represented by two more qualifiers than last year, giving each a better chance at the ultimate goal, a state championship.

For Park Hill, the 11 wrestlers they’ll have wrestling at state puts them in a strong position for the Class 4 title come Saturday night. If a handful of returning qualifiers get the redemption they seek after second and third place finishes last year, Park Hill may even be the favorite. As has been the case most of the season, the Trojans were led strong and early by their lighter weight classes. Starting with freshman KeShawn Hayes at 106, Park Hill started the title round by winning first place medals in the first seven championship matches. Hayes, John Erneste (113), Hunter Roberts (120), Colston DiBlasi (126), Russ Coleman (132), Derrick Rens (138), and Connor Shene (145) were Park Hill’s individual district title winners and will receive high seeds in the state bracket.

“We’re pretty happy with the way things turned out,” Park Hill coach Bill Erneste said. “You always want to advance all 14 of your guys, but for the 11 we qualified, they’re not satisfied yet. I always tell my guys to enjoy it because this is what they’ve been working towards.”

Several of Park Hill’s qualifiers battled back or upset higher seeded opponents to earn their ticket to state. Malik Colding (160) and Nolan Smith (285) had strong showings with third place finishes in their division while Nick Harper (152) and Nolan Anderson (170) qualified for state with fourth place finishes.

“I’d say we wrestled smart, not necessarily well,” Erneste said. “If we can combine those two this weekend, we’ll be in good shape.”

Park Hill has been in the figurative shadow of a strong Blue Springs team most of the season which before last weekend was the leading contender for the state title as the top ranked team in the state, but an upset or two in their district tournament last weekend left Blue Springs with eight wrestlers qualifying to advance, giving a possible advantage to Park Hill’s 11 going into the tournament’s opening rounds. Erneste still sees his team as one that has something to prove.

“I’d say they’re still the favorite (Blue Springs), they’ve got some strong guns that are probably going to do real well,” Erneste said.

For Park Hill South, the conference championship that came with such jubilation last year was repeated, but just a means to an end this season as the Panthers continue to be right on schedule for where they set their goal at the beginning of the season: a focus on the state tournament and returning home with state medals.

Captains Chase Gray (182) and Nick Gillespie (195) won district titles for Park Hill South.  Coach Dan Dunkin gave credit to both, saying both seem to always find a way to win no matter who the opponent may be.

“Chase has broken the career winning record for wins at Park Hill South in just three years. He’s a junior, so he has another year to completely blow it out of the water. He keeps finding ways to beat good kids. He’s not flashy, but doesn’t make any mistakes,” Dunkin said. “Nick can do a lot of different things, with bigger guys I think it’s hard to adjust to him.”

South had a handful of runners-up including George Barth (126), Jimmy Carpenter (132), Justin Haughenberry (145), and Adam Weatherly (152). Kenric Cook (170) took third while Alex Fortuna (113) qualified for state with a fourth place finish.

Park Hill South will see an improved state field position compared to last year where most of the wrestlers were athletes who squeaked in with state qualifications. This year, as demonstrated by their strong district finishes, the Panthers will see a more advantageous bracket with two one-seeds and four two-seeds.

“We’re going to get seeded a lot better. If we get down there, get some good spots, then anything can happen. There are a lot of good wrestlers out there,” Dunkin said. “A lot of our guys were there last year. The expectations are different and we can feel it.”

Winter Roundup: Feb. 6 - 12

Park Hill South Boys Basketball

…after getting stumped 55-35 by Raytown South earlier in the season, Park Hill South had a tough task in front of them last Friday night as the two squared off for what would be the outright claim to the conference title. Taking advantage of Raytown South’s early shooting slump, the Panthers built a 25-19 halftime lead on the heels of good free throw shooting and few turnovers. Raytown South would not stay cold for long as they went on a 20-9 run in the third quarter giving them a lead they would not give up.

“They weren’t hitting them early, but 20-9 in the third, that’s the ball game right there,” Park Hill South head coach John Sedler said.

A handful of missed free throws and turnovers, which had gone in the Panthers favor in the first half, did not in the second as Raytown South pulled out the victory 45-42. Anthony Woods led in scoring with 14 points while Payton Meek added 12 points.

“We fought back, had our chances. Missed a couple free throws, and gave them a score on an inbounds play,” Sedler said. “Two pretty good teams here tonight. They had their looks and made them, we had ours and didn’t.”

Park Hill South, 16-7 on the year, now looks to a district semifinal matchup with Park Hill Tuesday night. While South has won the previous two meetings, a situation when both teams are fighting for a chance to continue their season, rivalry games come with added emphasis.

“Playing them at their place, I’m sure it’ll be emotional and exciting,” Sedler said.

Park Hill Boys Basketball

..fell to 6-15 on the year with two tough losses last weekend to St. Joe Central and Lee’s Summit West. Despite going neck and neck with St. Joe Central early in the week, the Trojans only scored five points in the fourth quarter as they fell 54-47. Marcus Cross and Connor Farmer led in scoring with 11 points apiece. Facing one of the top teams in the metro Friday night, Park Hill faced an early deficit, eventually going into halftime down 32-17 before losing 70-48. Farmer and Santos Smiroldo led in scoring with 12 and 14 points respectively.

Park Hill wraps up their regular season this week and looks to a district semifinal matchup against Park Hill South, a team they’ve lost two close games to this season, and a game which is sure to fill the gym at Park Hill where the tournament is being hosted.

Park Hill Girls Basketball

…split their two scheduled games last week to extend their record to 13-10 coming into the last week of the regular season. Park Hill lost a close conference game to Truman 51-48 to begin the week where a 17-4 third quarter gave Truman the lead and the victory. Bethany Sullinger led in scoring with 15 points while Kyleesha Weston added 12 points. The Trojans came back the next night and secured a 42-28 victory on the heels of 18 points from Weston. Park Hill only allowed ten points in the first three quarters combined.

Park Hill will host the district tournament next week as the three seed and will take on St. Joe Central in the semifinals Wednesday evening. A win would give the Trojans a chance to play for the district title Friday night.

Park Hill South Girls Basketball

…come into the last week of the season with a 15-8 record after a win and lose last week. A 67-12 thumping of Belton was aided by 12 points apiece from Madeline Homoly and Anna Courtney. South could not overcome an earlier deficit despite only being down 23-22 at the half against Kearney as the Bulldogs pulled away to a 59-46 victory. Mackenzie Stout led the Panthers in scoring with 11 points.

While Park Hill South has the second best overall record going into the district tournament next week, the Panthers were given the fourth seed due to their head to head results against teams in the district. They play Oak Park on Monday in the first round for a right to take on top seeded Staley Wednesday night in the district semifinals.