Hendrickson supporters unite while BOE, superintendent continue to take heat

POLSON — Last Wednesday morning, a group of approximately 30 Polson High School students gathered outside their school to protest the non-renewal of assistant principal Shawn Hendrickson. One sign read “education not politics,” and another said “Hendrickson fits in at PHS,” but the majority of the signs simply stated “we love Hendrickson.”

Since the Feb. 14 meeting when school board members voted to not renew Hendrickon’s contract, select community members have used their pens and keyboards to voice their anger with the school board, and their support for the assistant principal. Channels for their message have included letters to the editors of local newspapers, comments on media websites, and a 208-follower strong Facebook fan page.

While their passion for Hendrickson is clear, their legal rationale for fighting the board’s decision is less obvious. Under Montana state law a school board has the right to non-renew an administrator’s contract without ever giving a reason.

Gale Decker, Superintendent of the Lake County School District, is not specifically involved with Hendrickson’s case, but is familiar with the anger that can erupt when a board chooses to not-renew, and does give a reason.

“It happens more than you think,” Decker said. “A teacher gets good recommendations and then doesn’t get renewed. When the school board refuses to give a reason it creates frustration and consternation in the community, because no one will come out and give them answers.”

But according to Decker there’s a valid reason that the board remains silent, even amidst community unrest.

“If you give reason then you start to set the groundwork for the basis of a lawsuit,” Decker said.

While not giving a reason for non-renewal may be the best legal strategy for the board, maintaining their silence comes at a steep price.

A number of Hendrickson’s supporters have expressed anger, frustration and confusion with the board’s unwillingness to provide information, and in the wake of unanswered questions, some have taken to speculation.

One fan of the “Support Shawn Hendrickson” Facebook page complimented Hendrickson for taking an active, hands-on approach to bettering the school, but also wondered if his tenacity became the basis for his termination.

“He never has shied away from a confrontation,” writes the supporter. “Because of this great personality trait, he is being railroaded out and the school district will suffer for the incompetence of the superintendent and principal.”

The superintendent she refers to is David Whitesell, the man who, more than any other, has borne the blame for Hendrickson’s non-renewal.

Despite receiving criticism, Whitesell stands firm, saying that, “The right decision is not always the most popular decision.”

He also emphasizes that, while vocal, Hendrickson’s supporters do not necessarily speak for the community as a whole.

“At the school board meeting I saw three or four teachers, two from the high school. I saw two students. And I saw friends and classmates of Mr. Hendrickson,” Whitesell said. “I don’t think that reflects the community in its entirety.”

While it appears that the battle for the assistant principle could be a lengthy one, it is Hendrickson himself who has provided a voice of reason.

Mesa Starkey, a senior at Polson High School and one of the organizers of the student protest, recalled a recent conversation in which her assistant principal offered valuable advice.

“We talked about the situation and he told me to focus on the positives,” Starkey said. “He said to just make the best of the rest of the year.”