In surprise vote, Douglas County School Board will retain Superintendent
In a vote that took both the public and members of the Douglas County School Board by surprise, the motion to terminate Superintendent Keith Lewis failed.
Despite a previously agreed-upon mutual termination arrangement, which included a one-year base pay of $175,000 following the termination, trustees voted 4-3 to retain Keith Lewis as superintendent. Trustee Doug Englekirk took an unexpected stand against the board majority.
Since taking office eight months ago, a majority comprising President Susan Jansen and trustees David Burns, Katherine Dickerson, and the previously elected Doug Englekirk has dominated decision-making. Some community members and even other board members have referred to this as a "coup."
While these board members characterized the situation as Lewis's "resignation," his attorney, Tom Beko, emphasized that it was not a "voluntary" decision on Lewis's part.
Although no official information has been released by the board or the district regarding when or why termination discussions began, Beko stated that Attorney Joey Gilbert approached him and inquired whether Lewis could effectively manage the "fractured" board. Reportedly, Lewis declined.
At the beginning of the meeting, Englekirk appeared to be siding with the majority, stating that he was “sorry it’s come to this” and that he “wishes there was someway we could work this out.” However, a member of the public aimed a counterargument directly at Englekirk, stating, "There is a way to work this out — vote no."
Following several hours of public comments in which board members were urged to resign, and Lewis was lauded as a well-liked and trusted superintendent by teachers and parents alike, Englekirk appeared to change his stance.
Dickerson, Jansen, and Burns all voted in favor of terminating Lewis, but their motion failed when Englekirk joined the other side of the table, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.