BREAKING NEWS

VALDEZ - Valdez City School District Superintendent Lance Bowie's employment contract will expire June 2010 and Bowie said he was informed by Valdez School Board President Laurie Hull-Engles Tuesday that his contract would not be renewed. "There's no fault on this piece", Hull-Engles said. "His contract expires".

Hull-Engles said of her meeting with Lance Bowie and the School District Attorney, that she actually stated that it was the board's intention to conduct a Superintendent search. While Hull-Engles said the Tuesday meeting with Bowie was a courtesy so he woud not be blind-sided by the Superintendent search agenda item, Bowie said it was clear to him, the board did not want him to continue in his position and said he did not receive any reasons for the School Board's decision. The Superintendent search is on the agenda for Monday, January 11th and at that time the board will have the opportunity to vote for or against a search for a new superintendent. Ironically, School Board agenda item #2 for Monday night is "Superintendent Evaluation".

Bowie asserts that his previous evaluations and communication with the School Board did not provide any insight as to why the School District was unhappy with his performance. "I think I've always done my best to represent this board and the School District", said Bowie. "I have enjoyed working with the teachers, students and the community during my 5-years. I don't think I've done anything wrong in this district and all I've ever asked is that if I do something wrong, I would like people to be upfront and tell me. I don't feel like the board has been upfront with me.

Bowie's last employment evaluation from the school board was conducted in December 2008. No formal evaluation has been done for 2009, but School Board President Laurie Hull-Engles said the board feels that he (Lance) has a job description, a strategic plan, had performance evaluations, and has been given many assignments (by the Board) of things to do".

The next Valdez School Board meeting is this Monday, January 11th at 7pm at the School District office just behind the Elementary school. Approval of a Superintendent Search for Valdez City School District is on the agenda under New Business Monday night. KVAK Radio will have an exclusive interview with Lance Bowie and Laurie Hull-Engles following the meeting. The interview with Bowie will air during the 9am, noon and 6pm news hours on 93.3FM & 1230AM on Tuesday and the interview with Laurie Hull-Engles will air during the 9am, noon and 6pm news hours on both stations Wednesday.