What's the matter, Kelley? Did he stand up to you because you're kids weren't minding at school, and he supported the principal? He's not fair? How is he not fair? Care to expound?

I don't know which Karl Springer Stephanie is talking about, but it's definitely not the same Karl Springer from Mustang Schools that I know. We live in the Mustang Public School District and I have also had many encounters with him. He is neither great nor fair, as Stephanie says. I have been calling for his resignation for years and am thrilled to see him go. I am sorry for the Oklahoma City Public School system and all it's patrons and students.

OKCPS are very blessed to be getting K.S. He is truly a great man. I have had many encounters with him and his top priority's are education, students and teachers. He is a very fair man and at the end of the day it is truly about the kids. He has made many differences in this district and we are very greatful and he will be missed. My children attended OKCPS for years, we moved to Mustang because of the academics. I have 3 kids, 2 graduates and 1 senior. (2 in college) This would not have happened without the support of the MS District. K.S. will do everything he can do make a positive difference for this entire district. When I heard he was hired, I was sad for Mustang but so excited for OKC. Congratulations OKCPS!!!

school superintendents are like sex ofenders, they get run out of one city, only to resurface in another where they then do the exact same thing, where do these people come from?

Exactly Kevin and Lynn, they haven't been able to do it in over 30 years as Lynn said, "there are a lot of people who can "fire back"". Until the parents and taxpayers vote-in a school board and political system that supports the views of the people - it won't happen. The parents and taxpayers need to step-up and get involved not just when something directly affects their child, but they need to understand what is happening or not happening in their community then VOTE.

But Lawrence! How will the political cronies be able to make a decent living if they get booted out of their cushy administrative jobs? That would put a serious kink in the politicial spoils system!

The board brings people in wanting them to make changes, and then they don't like the changes or support the superintendent. Springer will have to figure out a way to make positive changes without upsetting the balance. Maybe he will make all the changes necessary and leave after one year! Either way, the administration needs some serious overhauling no matter if it is volutary or not. Oklahoma has four times the amount of administrators per capita as Texas making similar salaries yet are doing a worse job? On the other hand teachers are making significantly less salaries than teachers in Texas, and are getting blamed for the inequities in test scores. Eventually the public will understand what is happening, and the administration as it now functions will change for the better in Oklahoma putting its finances back into the classrooms where they belong - Springer seems like he wants to do it.

It makes sense to have a one year contract or a probationary period to make sure the new hire is a good fit, however not many people would move from out of state for a one year contract. Springer and OKC are in a fortunate positions that a one year contract works for both of them. Superintendents get reveiwed annually whether they have a one year contract or a 5 year contract by the board, and possibly more often such as in Porter's case.

I still think Porter would have done a great job. It's kidna funny how all of those accusations againt him turned out to be false in the end. Well good luck Springer.

he asked for the one year contract, saying he'd like to reviewed annually.

Sure the superintendent can order - he is the boss until the school board removes him. Notice they only gave him a one year contract.

I should have defined what is meant when it said that in America we have a "democratic" school system. Most of the power in America, as opposed to places like Japan and Germany, is held by the local school board. We don't have a "national" system which sets standards and curriculum. The superintendent therefore is not trying to impliment policies handed down directly to him/her by the national government. The Secretary of Education can suggest policies, and can withold some funding if some policies are not carried out, but that is very limited. The real control is held mainly by the local board with a measure of power held by the state education department. Added to this are various other groups such as the courts, the negotiated contract, patrons and so forth. So if a superintendent comes in with guns blazing, like Marvin Crawford and John Porter did in many ways, there are a lot of people who can "fire back." Part of Porter's problem came from people in the administration who did not like what he was telling them and really didn't like how he told them. Again, the superintendent can direct, but he cannot order.

He has a good reputation and a good record. That guarantees nothing, of course, but is sure beats the opposite. I'm sure he knows it's a tough job. I agree with those who say, "Let's get behind him and give him every chance to do it." It is vitally important that Oklahoma City schools continue to improve. We will not be a "major league city" until our schools rank in the top twenty-eight in the country no matter
how many professional sports teams make their home here.

I saw him on the TV news figuratively kissing the ring of Kirk Humphries--must have the blessing of the
Gaylord mafia. I figure Humphries got THAT job so he could funnel lucrative contracts to his buddies. If theres any money left after the Gayord mafia gets theirs, perhaps Springer can do some good...

DEMOCRATIC SCHOOL SYSTEM???? What is that? I agree with you Lynn that Sup. Springer needs to gain community support first, but after that? 3/4 of the problem with OKC Schools is that the "middle men" between the schoolroom teacher and the superintendent are causing chaos and WASTE. The minute the schoolroom teacher and the super get together, this district will turn GOLDEN.

Mr. Springer has been hired to turn things around in OKC. If the school board will let him do his job, he should eventually get results. It will take some time. (You can't turn an aircraft carrier on a dime!) If the other administrators and teachers don't want to follow his leadership, they should be fired so he can find the ones who will. It will take some major shaking up around here for anything to change. Maybe it's time for some big changes in the administration building and the schools as well. We should start by voting out every one of the current board members and getting some who will have a little backbone.

I really didn't see any negative posts about Springer except the fact that he didn't allow the Christmas play at Mustang. That was a fact and a poor decision although maybe he learned from it, but it was not something that should prevent him from this position. People are merely stating the the OKC school district is in horrible shape, and he is going to have a tough job. Good luck Mr. Springer - Cathy please review your posts before claiming that you are a teacher so people will respect your position and education.

"That's not how a democratic school system works." Where did anybody who works for OKCPS get the idea that they were "democratic." I'm a teacher - I work for my principal and my parents. We don't vote on the PASS objectives I will or won't teach. Someone needs to look up the definition of democratic and realize that while teachers are not producing widgets, we are also not who get to vote someone we don't like off "our island."

Chap:
He wasn't available before now! He did a great job in Mustang. Give him the support him. He likes teams!

I would have rather had Jerry. It will take someone with a great sense of humor to make any progress in the declining wasteland that is the OKC public school system. This guy will stroke out dealing with OKC after having the orderly, manageable, interested Mustang kids and parents as a reference point.

From some of the negative things posted already, Mr. Springer will have his work cut out for him. He will need cooperation from parents, teachers, students, board members, and the support from the community for his job to be successful. He says that his first responsibility is to the kids in the district and If he keeps kids in mind in making decisions, that will go a long way in making positive changes in okc.

Bless his heart for taking the job. The poor guy hasn't even taken office and people are ready to jump all over him. Those same people probably would not take the position. Good luck Mr Springer. Make the students your priority and you will see progress!

"C" you make valid points; however, I think I am seeing things the way they are, not how I wish them to be. Of course, I wish Mr. Springer every success, and this teacher will do his damndest to make his tenure with our schools a success. How the "stakeholders" (i.e. parents) and my fellow teachers think. It isn't as if we haven't been through this before.

To those of you who seem so dubious, why not think positive instead?____ Obviously, OKC needs someone at the helm. I am not so sure a "democratic" school system will bring optimum results or is the way a school system, especially one the size of OKC, should operate. A school system needs an administrator. It does not need
Congress....there should be no need for a body set on legislating and representation should come via the local school board ...a body elected by school patrons for purposes of representation. ________ It seems to me that the faculty and staff need to be "team players" and exhibit the qualities of good sportsmanship and citizenship rather than reluctant members or dissenters and naysayers of a school system. ___As for expressing concern that he might not understand the difference between the suburbs and OKC...please ...please ...give the man a break. That seems an arrogant concern. Surely, this man is intelligent enough to discern the situation will not be the same. From the positive feedback posted here, it seems pretty obvious that if given a chance this man will bring positive results and be a good hire and perform well in this position. However, if those employed in the OKC system fail to get behind him and give him their support, if they insist on being dubious about his ability and savvy, it seems obvious that he will lack their support and cooperation. Could it be that the OKC faculty and staff are the handwriting on the wall and can bring about a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure on any candidate they choose? If so, it also seems obvious that the OKC school system will fail to shine ..but NOT because of its superintendent, but because of a lack of support and cooperation from its employees. ____As for him gaining the trust of teachers...it might be good to remember that often those who fail to trust are, in fact, themselves not trustworthy.

So far, stakeholders in OKC have not seen how a "democratic school district" works under any regime.

If he's so wonderful, why did OKC schools not snatch him up the last year when they hired Porter, or in January after Porter was suspended?

The first thing he will need to do is gain the confidence of the community. Then he will have to get the teachers believing in him. As I said, ours is a democratic school district. The superintendent just can't order stuff around.

He'll do fine because he'll immerse himself in the work. He also will step on the toes that need stepping on. In that sense, he won't be universally loved. But he'll do the things that are needed.

I was impressed by how " white" Mustang schools are , hopefully Springer will be able to make OKC as well behaved and good as the Mustang schools are , but the odds are stacked against him simply because of demographics and culture.

My concern is that he knows that working in an urban school district won't be like working in a suburb like Mustang. One problem he will have is gaining the trust of teachers who have seen the superintendent's office become a revolving door. A lot of the attitude will be, "I've was a teacher before this guy came here, and I'll be a teacher after he has gone." He won't gain trust by simply ordering folks around. That's not how a democratic school system works.

Karl is without a doubt the Best.

I'm sure you have received hundreds of emails about the headline. "Named Mustang Schools Super" instead of OKC Schools Super. from Mustang. Keep up the good work.

Seems i remember Springer being the one who spearheaded the anti-Christmas program live nativity at mustang schools...look out okc, you might have to do without a Christmas vacation now.

I hear his brother Jerry wants to do a show about the OKC School Superentendents who have been caught in compromising situations.

OKC got a top person for the job. The nay sayers in OKC will be eating there words.

I believe the Oklahoma City School System has been in shambles since the 1970s. I admire Springer's willingness to take on this job (he's an ex-Marine) so he knows a tough job when he sees it. Everyone who thinks Mustang is an easy job compared to OKC, well, I don't know about that...But OKC will be a challenge, and like other posters have said, get behind him, give him a chance, and let's see if we can make OKC Public Schools some of the best in the nation. What have you got to lose but your indifference and negativity. He can't do it alone. Help him. Work with him. He is a very good listener and he is a team player. But someone has to block for him some of the time.

They could not find a better man. He will be missed, but if anyone can make it work, it is him.