Full Forecaste

Past Month's Most Commented Stories

Home > Area News

Coakley named Rainier elementary principal

Friday, April 18, 2008 12:03 AM PDT

By Barbara LaBoe

Font Size:
 
 

Paul Coakley was named Rainier’s new elementary principal Thursday — after the other finalist dropped out after an apparently uncomfortable exchange with a citizens group leading a recall of the school board.

Coakley, 31, holds a post comparable to assistant principal in the Portland School District and said during Wednesday’s public interview that he looked forward to working closely with district administrators, students and parents.

“Constantly building relationships is what’s going to make you successful,” he said.

Superintendent Michael Carter said he was excited to announce Coakley’s hiring, but the day also was marred by co-finalist Melissa Carter withdrawing from consideration.

Melissa Carter, 46, and no relation to the superintendent, called the district Thursday morning and dropped out of the process after an encounter with a citizens group following the public interviews Wednesday night, Michael Carter said.

“(Some residents) told her about the school board recall” before it was even officially certified, Carter said. “I had to come out and rescue her. ... She was totally overwhelmed because of the unprofessional communication.”

Russ Crawford, who lead the recall effort, said he did speak to Melissa Carter but that it was merely a conversation about current events within the district and was in no way threatening or uncomfortable.

Crawford said he told her about Michael Carter being on a plan of assistance this past year and that the school board faced a recall, adding she seemed surprised and shocked to learn about matters. Crawford also stressed that he spoke to Melissa Carter as a Rainier parent and not as the member of any citizen’s group.

Still, school board member Rod Harding said Crawford and his followers “cost us a very, very good candidate.” Harding did not witness the conversation between Crawford and Melissa Carter but said he knew she was upset afterwards.

“I think these people and their actions are detrimental to our school district,” Harding said.

But, while Michael Carter called the withdrawal a “tough” situation, he said he’s very pleased that Coakley will soon join the district.

The Daily News could not reach Melissa Carter or Coakley on Thursday.

Coakley officially starts in July but will work five school days with outgoing principal Russ Pickett at Hudson Park Elementary School to ensure the best transition possible. Pickett is leaving to become superintendent of the Tenino School District in Washington near Olympia.

“Mr. Coakley brings innovation, passion, dedication and a deep love students to this position,” Michael Carter said in a press release. “It is an exciting time for the Rainier School District and we are very fortunate to have such a wonderful administrator like Paul join the team.”

Previous Next

She was shocked! wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:58 AM:

" She was shocked! Shocked I tell you! To discover there were problems in Rainier!
A candidate that is shocked by the recent history of the school she intends to lead is not a candidate but a joke. Good thing Carter was there to rescue her from the meanies trying to recall his rubber stamp board! "

Crazy wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:38 AM:

" The more that I read about Russ Crawford and his group of supporters, I'm becoming convinced that they are completely out of touch with reality and just trying to cause trouble any chance they can. What possible reason would this group have to hassle a candidate for the principal position as she tried to leave the meeting? It's no wonder she withdrew after experiencing the negativity and hostility these upstanding Rainier citizens showed her. The school board may not have made decisions the parents or community agree with, but it sounds like things are getting a little out of hand with this over-zealous "concerned citizens" group. Hopefully they don't target the new principal next. "

No Shame wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:25 AM:

" The CAC has no shame. They hide behind children and their "faith" stating that they are trying to do what is "best for kids". They only have hate and anger. "If I don't get my way - I'm going to ruin it for everyone". They give the worst possible impression to outsiders. They don't care about ALL the kids of Rainer, just their narrow, personal agenda, and the fact that the community of Rainier doesn't stand up to them but rather follows the lemmings over the cliff is scary. I didn't know that Joseph McCarthy moved to Goble. "

Jack wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:36 AM:

" Years ago many of the Goble residents expressed interest in becoming part of the St Helens school district. Rainier would be better off if they went there. "

Of course they will wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Citizens Against Children have a list of people to get rid of. First the board, then Carter, then the high school principal then some high school teachers, then some HPE staff and on and on and on. Of course they will get rid of the new HPE principal if he doesn't take their orders. If the voters don't stand up against the CAC agenda, there will be nothing left. "

Grow Up........ wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:45 AM:

" I cannot believe how childish these so called adults are acting. I am so gla I left Rainier. It is so clickish and backwards. These folks on the board have volunteered their time. So they are not perfect and you think you are going to find 6 other people to give up their time and take this abuse, I think not. "

Pasta wrote on Apr 18, 2008 9:06 AM:

" I obviously have no idea what kind of conversation went on between the citizens group and Mrs. Carter but what I do know is that at the meeting with parents and both candidates, everyone was nice, polite, and really interested in what both candidates had to say. We voiced our concerns and questions which is what we are supposed to do. After that meeting everyone I spoke to prefered Coakley over Carter anyway. So I am glad hat he has the position. Not everyone in this district is apart of that group! I don't even know what it is! "

Stil a Rainier Resident wrote on Apr 18, 2008 9:09 AM:

" Like I said before, all you have to do is look at all the folks who have left this sinking Carter ship, and who is searching to be gone by fall, to see that it is the board and Carter, who are are in denial, and lying, respectively. The numbers don't lie. It's basic math. If you know Russ Crawford, you know he was NOT "hassling" anyone! Mr. Carter, just keep those sound bites coming. You can give all the zingy quotes you want, it won't change what YOU have done, and are doing to this district. Inside, you must be very afraid. If this money pit goes south on you, WHO in their right mind would ever hire you? No one in Oregon, unless you can con your way in another small unsuspecting town, that doesn't read the papers. Karma, Mr. Carter. You will get yours. "

To Stil (Stil???) wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:16 AM:

" I've looked at this thing from both sides, and believe me when I say I'm very close to it (no, I don't work for the district). My observation is that the regime changers have taken a win at all cost strategy, regardless of what is best for the community. The idea that the ends justify the means doesn't reconcile often, and it certainly doesn't in this instance. Carter may have some leadership issues, and the Board some as well, but the group quickly becomes the antagonist when they resort to confronting new leadership candidates outside of the proper forum (which was inside). Poor decision. Crawford's attempt to hide behind the "only speaking as a concerned parent" simply doesn't hold water. Unbridled, right often becomes righteous. "

Rainier Parent wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:20 AM:

" Rainier Res: Carter's sinking ship?? You mean Gilbert's sinking ship. Carter's ship is sailing fine since we got rid of all the dead weight. The few people that have left have been Gilbert supporters and following him out the door.. So apparently they are not here for the kids anyways. They are only here for their personal agendas or reasons and are not truly here for the children. So we are much better off with out them and getting people here that are about the kids!!! Rainier School Board and MR. Carter you are doing an outstanding job!!!! Keep it up! "

justareader wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:53 AM:

" Let's set aside the emotions and stick to business. We found that Ms. Carter either didn't know of the situation here or chose not to be the one to deal with it. Mr. Carter seems to be the only one that saw her "distress". If two people saw the same incident you'd get two opinions. Has anyone spoken to Ms. Carter since, to get her opinion of what happened? For my own part, I had not enough advance knowlege of this get together or I would have been there and probably spoken to each of them about our ongoing problems. I never signed the petition either, but I agreed with it. We need more people willing to ask the questions and keep asking until true answers are given. Until we have a board that will do that, I have no problem recalling what we do have. "

HPE Parent wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:04 AM:

" If finding out about the District turmoil scared her off then who is to say the first rather difficult situation she found her self in wouldn't do the same. Maybe its a good thing she dropped out!!!
"

Who is going to run things wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:07 AM:

" So when all of these folks are recalled and the vote goes out, who is going to run the schools??? I do not here of any folks that are going to run against and fill these positions. "

to justareader wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:21 AM:

" I was there, she was definitely ruffled. I don't know her, so I don't know what her tolerance level is, but it was clear that the discussion outside the building left her upset and possibly even afraid. "

Faith? wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:27 AM:

" Faith? Does the CAC have a religious agenda? I want to hear more about this!
On checking, it is really true that personel issues and lots of other stuff can not be discussed in public. I guess if the board members did discuss these things they would be in a serious ethical breach. "

RHS Alum wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:31 AM:

" Crawford and his posse are a joke, they are not looking out for my kid's best interest. They have their own agenda, and I would never vote for Crawford to be on the school board, or any of his group. I support my board!!! "

to: Still A Rainier Resident wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:54 AM:

" "...you must be very afraid" and "Karma, Mr. Carter. You will get yours. " Holy Cow! Are you threatening this man?! Being across the river, I luckily don't have to send my children to school or live with you hicks. Yes, you have problems in your schools--we read about them ALL THE TIME. So do we. Spend your obvious large amounts of extra time and energy and do something constructive to help this administration and it's children instead of backstabbing and finger-pointing. Carter's not going anywhere. Work with him and get over it to make the situation a better place to live and go to school. "

RHS Alum wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:02 PM:

" By the way, Russ(Pickett) we will miss you!! Your a great guy all the way around, you have been a great teacher/coach to me, and a woderful principal to my daughter!! Good luck on your new adventure, we will miss you!!
"

rainier parent wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:02 PM:

" " The candidates seem qualified and courteous, which is more than I can say for some citizens. One fellow grilled them repeatedly about whether they would stay as long as Russ, (23 years? Really, get a grip), and rather menacingly said Rainier was a friendly town "until the sun goes down"... One of the candidates is African-American- do you think this was a joke? Not funny, despite the attempts by others in the room to diffuse the comment. After the Board meeting, one of the candidates was accosted by a small group of residents who proceeded to bad-mouth the administration and actually drove her BACK into the board room. Eventually someone walked her to her car. She was visibly shaken. These folks do not represent the sane and friendly majority of our townspeople, but they make a lot of noise, and do a lot of damage to our reputation. The rudest of them do no favors to the Citizen's group that they represent. That group may have some good ideas, but until they distance themselves from the self-serving loud-mouths that claim to be their leaders no one can hear them over the discourteous din. We can do better, Rainier. Unfortunately it may be too late to prove that to these candidates. "

"

RHS Grad wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:09 PM:

" Any way to get Carter out of there is great... if it takes getting a whole new school board, then so be it. The school district had none of these problems before Carter came into the picture. As big/tall as Carter is, he's still not big enough to fill Jim Romney's shoes... HE was a great man. "

rainier parent, too wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:37 PM:

" I actually did not get a chance to go to the meet and greet the other night, but a few friends did. They felt that both candidates were well qualifed for the position. From my own initial perception, (I did get a chance to observe them while volunteering) and I have to agree. Although, I must say Mr. Coakley seemed to be more in touch with the children, which in my mind makes all the difference. I just hope our more rabid "citizens" give him a kind and generous welcome. I look forward to a great next year for my children. Welcome aboard, Mr. Coakley.
One thing is for sure, he will have big shoes to fill. I can say that my children and I will miss Mr. Russ Pickett, he's a one in a million. "

to: RHS grad wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:51 PM:

" This is about Mr. Coakley, not about Mr. Carter. Get on the right thread, which I think is the board recall. "

RHS007GRAD wrote on Apr 18, 2008 2:03 PM:

" I'm sorry to see Russ Pickett go. He was an outstanding principal and a great overall person. I hope that this new fellow can bring about some POSITIVE changes to the schools.
Welcome to Rainier, Mr. Coakley! I hope you find our schools to be full of kind, courteous young people, since there are some ADULTS in Rainier that do not reflect our town very well. And no, I'm not talking about the CAC- I'm talking about Carter and his melodramatic accusations. "

Another RHS 07 Grad wrote on Apr 18, 2008 3:51 PM:

" To the fellow member of my class... I am really glad I don't have to be associated with you anymore. That is the most ignorant final two sentences I have ever read.

However, I am glad to see how many people are finally realizing this CAC group is a bunch of crazy Gobleonians. Besides he fact that recalling the board doesn't nullify Carter's 3 year contract. Use your head. "

Parent wrote on Apr 18, 2008 4:06 PM:

" Have any of you ever gone to a school board meeting. If you haven't you should. When the Chairman is asked a question he actually turns to Carter for the answer. So tell me who is running the show?
Welcome aboard Mr. Coakley. Look forward to meeting you. "

Hmmm wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:24 PM:

" Good luck Coakley - we wish you the best. Stand up for yourself and don't be intimidated by Carter - The last hire, Ramey has yet to impress me, just another "Carter" hire - all business, doesn't listen to your concerns or brushes them off, seems out of touch with the students. I'm hoping this is not the case but the jury's still out. "

Bob J wrote on Apr 18, 2008 10:41 PM:

" I am sick and tired of all of the lies. Who has left Rainier since Gilbert left? A vice-principal who left to a bigger high school, a student services director who only had a one year contract, and an elementary school principal who wants to be a superintendent. I am familiar with the school, so who are all of these Gilbert follower's who have left? Also, how do you know other's are leaving? It is just specualtion and bunch of lies....GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!! "

Rainier Resident wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:24 PM:

" Given the brief opportunity that we citizens of Rainier/parents have to contribute any constructive input at all, why would it be any surprise that we take this rare & unique opportunity to ask the questions that truly matter? We can dance around issues, or we can deal with them directly. I wasn't impressed with either candidate, but Coakley was the better choice regardless of Ms. Carter's withdrawl. As far as hiring a principal that is not afraid of making a long-term committment to our kids and our district, I would ask do we really want to go through this process again in a year or two? It is those that are happy with the status quo that have a disdain for the truly penetrating questions. Fact or fiction, the choice is yours. When you have different rules for different people, this is the kind of drama that ensues . . . "

appalled wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:43 PM:

" I agree with 'rainier parent' and I sincerely hope that those of us that find this cac group completely off base and not representative of our community will vote no on the recall. These people have gone too far. Hassel'ng a principal candidate outside of her car, in the dark, tightly grouping around her, boxing her in and shoving their opinions down her throat... These people are an out of control MOB! I don't want them anywhere near the boardroom table and it only makes me see how professional our current board is, especially in light of having to deal with all the tough issues of the past year. The CAC's actions here paint a very clear picture of what Rainier can expect if these folks have their way and force themselves onto the board. "

Rainier Parent wrote on Apr 20, 2008 7:22 AM:

" I can only say that Ms Carter got out while the getting is good. Being associated with Rainier's schools is a nightmare only a masochist could enjoy. And the Carter/Kash's cracking the whip and changing the bar to suit themselves. Melissa Carter, count your blessings you're not sucked into this morass and don't look back (like Lot's wife). "

Outside Looking In wrote on Apr 20, 2008 8:07 AM:

" Rainier residents - I'm sure you are ashamed of the recent events, and the few who continually embarrass everyone else. When I initially heard of this incident, I immediately thought of "HILLBILLIES"!!!!!! The year is 2008, and people are still making comments like "Rainier is a friendly town until the sun goes down"???????? What a disgrace!!!!

I'm glad that Mrs. Carter stood up for her beliefs and does not want any part of that kind of situation. She is an OUTSTANDING person and great at what she does. Rainier lost a SPECTACULAR candidate. Their loss, someone else's gain!

I just hope in the future that the upstanding, respectful citizens are able to get control over all the HILLBILLIES, and "rein" them in. Good luck! "

What wrote on Apr 25, 2008 2:26 PM:

" How can you call Ramey a "Carter" hire when he wasn't even around when Ramey got hired? "

Top Jobs
More Top Jobs
Top Garage Sales
More Top Garage Sales
Top Rentals
More Top Rentals