Controversy is hitching a ride with former Douglas County schools superintendent Liz Fagen as she leaves Colorado for a superintendent position in Texas.
Many Douglas County parents are celebrating Fagen’s departure, while more than a thousand in the Texas community where she will become a school superintendent are already petitioning against her arrival.
When Douglas County reported Tuesday evening that Fagen would be leaving town to take a superintendent position with the Humble Independent School District in Texas, Facebook commenters didn’t hold back.
Confetti and smiley-face emojis were sprinkled among more than 70 comments including:
• “This is a happy day for staff, students, parents and neighbors alike. Let’s continue to rebuild our district into one that is ethical, student-focused, and a desirable place to work.”
• “Don’t let (the) door hit you on the way out. Now for the two directors to do what is right and leave.”
• “YES!!! YES!!! YES!! Like watching an invader finally leave the township where they’ve done so much damage!! Leave and never return!!!”
The school district’s Facebook page began deleting comments they felt violated their Facebook posting policy for issues like containing profanity or “threatening violence.”
Why the uproar?
In a release sent following Fagen’s announcement, Douglas County Parents pointed to several policies they said Fagen had a hand in since her 2010 appointment that caused upset, including a 2011 voucher program.
In a letter to Douglas County school families, Fagen said she announced her move with a heavy heart.
“I want you to know that I have had a wonderful six years in the Douglas County School District,” the letter said. “We have worked together to move our schools and our community forward in the best interest of our students, and for that, I am sincerely thankful for your partnership.”
Paula Hans, district spokeswoman, said Fagen was not available for interviews this week.
Meghann Silverthorn, Douglas County School Board president, said Fagen led the district through “incredible successes” and “really great accomplishments.”
“She poured her heart and soul into our district for six years,” Silverthorn said.
Silverthorn touted the district’s graduation rate increase and students’ individual successes as being an accomplishment of Fagen’s tenure.
“I know that people can disagree about different educational philosophies, but her passion was always making sure that kids had what they needed to fulfill their own potential,” Silverthorn said.
As news spread of Fagen’s departure, folks from her soon-to-be Texas community became privy to all of the Douglas County drama, and thousands took action.
An online petition was created by Humble parents asking the Humble ISD Board of Trustees to reconsider hiring Fagen as the new superintendent.
Signatures were coming in droves, with more than 1,300 supporters and counting by Wednesday afternoon.
The Humble school board, in response, put out a letter explaining its unanimous choice.
Fagen was narrowed down from a group of 43 applicants through a process that consisted of “extensive background checks,” individual research conducted by the school board and each board member on each candidate, around 14 hours of discussion with each candidate and a site visit to the Douglas County School District, where three Humble ISD School board members met with Douglas County principals, teachers, district administrators, school board members and business and community members, Humble school district officials said.
“We are aware of the posts from Colorado on our districts’s social media page last night and today,” the letter said. “We want you to know that none of the comments posted were a surprise to us, as we have done extensive research on all seven of our superintendent candidates, including Dr. Liz Fagen…”
“That said, we want to clear up any perception that our selection of Dr. Fagen implies that we are aligned or interested in the policies that the Douglas County Board has chosen to pursue,” the letter said. “On the contrary, we are excited to have Dr. Fagen use her skills and talents … to continue to lead the work in our district; the work we have set forth.”
Fagen’s last day, as stated by her community letter, will be somewhere between July 1 and July 15.
“The immediate concern will be to come together as a board and discuss what an interim superintendent will be for July 1,” Silverthorn said. “It’s incumbent to us to make sure there’s a replacement ready to go at that time.”
While Silverthorn said she believes the process for finding an interim superintendent is “far less involved” than finding a permanent one, she said she believes the community will be involved in both decisions.
“We’re just trying to make sure we have the right leadership going into the next school year,” she said.
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