I am also a teacher at East Elementary. This is my 5th year with Tooele County School District and Mr. Nix is the 4th principal I've worked for during that time. That in itself should be sending red flags to the district office. Ernie Nix has been hands down the best administrator I have worked for in my 13 year teaching career. The work he has done at East this year has been nothing short of amazing. However, let's not forget that this mess is in large part a result of Mr. Nix's decision to leave East to head the charter school. Granted, I understand his reasoning and the fact that he has seized a once in a lifetime opportunity. Still, the East community is left high and dry as a result of his decision. The district has added insult to injury by not allowing him to carry out the orderly transition he proposed. Mr. Nix promised the students and faculty at East that he would see us through to the end of the year. Words seem to be just words all the way around. Who is truly considering the children in our charge besides the dedicated teachers and staff at East? I can't help but wonder.

I can't believe that this is the way the TCSD pays back Mr. Nix for a job well done! Mr. Nix has done wonderful things for East and the least they could have done was meet him in the middle. I am very upset with their one sided 'letter' that they sent home. Mr. Nix did not want to leave he was unfairly pushed out by a district that felt they had their toes stepped on. I agree with the staff at East when they ask how is this best for the students?

My name is Greg Orkiolla. I have taught at East for the past 3 years. The above comments I will take responsibility for. I am one that has seen the change this year. I know the options put on the table. I have had the pleasure of teaching an increasing number of students each year. My class sizes are outrageous for what I am charged to do. I will not hide behind an alias. I began the year with 29 and 28 kindergartners. I am currently at 26 in each class, well above the stated numbers published in this newspaper. I have told district personnel that I was not a masochist.... that I can teach a primary grade with half the case load. I have informed them that I have never had such class sizes with such little support. They also have the data about what I can achieve despite these obstacles. I feel passionately that parents should be able to send their children to their neighborhood school and expect that the district provide the support. I know what I can provide. This was the last straw. I have high expectations of myself, my students, families, peers, principal, and district. Why should I lower those expectations who are in the positions of power? A Board member knows what I can do. He has seen first hand what I can get my student to achieve. It's not that difficult I believe. I just show them what each of us is capable of doing. I get them to believe in themselves. And it is reflected in the district's own data. But to work for an organization that words are just that... words, with no impact or importance has been the last straw. Morally, it is difficult for me to work for such an entity ..... compromise my core beliefs, my belief that all children can succeed, that all decisions should truly be based upon what is best for my charges. As I mentioned in the above post, this was the best recruiting tool for the charter. I hope that the powers that be will actually consider the impact of their decisions.... despite rarely visiting. I invite the Board to come and see what we have accomplished despite our situation. My kids are rocking! Come listen to these 5-6 year old read. Come see their confidence. Come see their love for Mr. Nix. There's a time to stand up for what is right, the more difficult path, and to take the easy path. That's the thing about the East staff, we are willing to take on the powers that be and challenge them to support this ill-conceived decision by answering the simple question: how is this best for our students? I'm waiting........

I am concerned about the districts statements in this regard. Despite posters saying collaboration and cooperation placed in the district office, they view things all to often in terms of black and white. Both of these require compromise. The district is not willing to do what it professes. They are not willing to work in the vast area of grey that these two principles are based upon. Mr. Nix does have strong feelings for the East community. I feel that this decision was not based upon what is best for the East community but rather out of anger and fear of the new charter school. Rather than embrace the charter as an important part of the valley's educational community and work collaboratively for the benefit of the Tooele educational community, they are viewed as the "enemy". District personnel always say that they put students first. How is this best for the students of East? The district has allowed principals assigned to opening new facilities to take time away from their primary responsibility, their current assignments with full pay by the district. This is not new. What is new, is that they have a competitor in the educational process. Rather than allow a man who is willing to do what has been accepted practice, while not expecting pay for the leave time, the only difference is that it is a charter is hypocritical at best. Mr. Nix was willing to volunteer his time for an orderly transition. This was not acceptable to the district. He asked for some leave, working in the same way that would be allowed if the charter was part of the district. Rather than accept a number of proposals, the district said "no". When asked how this is best for the students of East, no answers were forthcoming. Rumors, gossip, seem to have driven this decision. It was a slap in the face for all the staff at East to have not been notified prior to the public announcement. They found out after the board meeting that this was going to occur. They are very protective of their students considering the past. Has the district been of any support? NO! East has for too long been considered the ugly stepchild of the district. They are doing amazing things there. Mutual? I beg to differ. Severing this relationship due to innuendo and perception is one sided and short sighted, considering that it is just prior to CORE testing. I have moved to Tooele relatively recently. I peruse the Transcript Bulletin weekly. I have found that reality is very different from what the district spokespeople put forth. I challenge anyone to visit East... particularly if you have heard "rumors". Go and volunteer in a classroom.... see the change in environment. The East staff was informed Wednesday afternoon allowing them 2 days to prepare their students who love Mr. Nix for his departure. I have heard that there were "perceptions" that he was recruiting or using his district time for the charter. Let me tell you, the district's actions in this matter could be the biggest recruiting tool for the charter. Who would want to work for an organization where words don't matter? Actions speak so much clearer than words. I am sickened by the district's actions in this regard. The question is: what is best for the students of East? Until the district and the Board is able to give an answer to this all important question then their actions appear petty and vindictive. Just my perspective. I'll amend that, it's the perspective of many more than I.