The Whitewater Banner reports that high school principal Vance Dalzin may not take a position with the Clinton School District, as was formerly expected. It’s not the first time that something like this has happened in our community: Marty Powers turned down a job before leaving about a year later, and Leslie Steinhaus sought, but was passed over for, a district administrator’s job elsewhere. (Steinhaus’s situation was different; she was not a final choice who backed out — she was the runner up.)
Regardless of the reason, a manager who signals an interest in leaving, but then stays, usually undermines his or her political clout within an organization. (Steinhaus, in particular, has never been a compelling presence within Whitewater; she’s an autocratic, but bland, district administrator.)
Dalzin completed a doctoral program at Edgewood, while working here in Whitewater, but I am not sure if he would have to pay back any part of the tuition our community may have previously reimbursed. Anyone who thought that he would complete the Edgewood program with the object of remaining forever an employee of our district would be kidding himself. Perhaps he thought he would replace Steinhaus one day, on the reasonable theory that just about anyone could adequately replace her.
I have no reason to believe that Dalzin’s departure — whenever it might happen — would injure this community; I can say confidently that he’s unremarkable. What is remarkable, though, is how poor the political skills of these administrators are. A serious manager or executive either stays or goes, without a lot of fuss, hesitation, and Hamlet-like doubt. Perhaps they imagine that their public deliberations are a sign of strength (“Look: I’m in demand”); it’s really a sign that they cannot completely a deal cleanly, simply, and effectively.
Post Script: Dalzin was the second choice for the Clinton position, according to the Janesville Gazette. The first choice was Bruce Gunderson, currently principal and district administrator of the Palmyra-Eagle School District. The Gazette reports that Gunderson declined the offer — two days after initially accepting the Clinton position — for “personal reasons.”
The Gazette reports more to Gunderson’s story:
The announcement came after the Gazette began researching Gunderson’s 2004 resignation from the Waupaca School District. Gunderson told the Gazette he retired in Waupaca because his wife’s health was poor. But a March 2004 story in the Appleton Post-Crescent reported Gunderson resigned during a public hearing investigating allegations of misconduct. Gunderson, who had been a principal for 26 years, was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a female teacher in Waupaca. He and the teacher were placed on administrative leave, and the Waupaca district administrator had recommended Gunderson’s termination.
Dalzin was the second choice, behind Gunderson — someone another district administrator recommended for termination? It’s hardly evidence of Dalzin’s strength as a candidate.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 at 6:16 PM and is filed under School District. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
