| 'This has turned into a fiasco': Despite multiple pleas at fiery School Board meeting, Niekamp won't step down as president |
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Mike Bowen reacts while addressing President Pro Tempore Melvin "Bud" Niekamp during the first of two Quincy School Board meetings Thursday night at Baldwin School. (H-W Photo/Philip Carlson)
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Published: 7/3/2009 | Updated: 7/11/2009
Emotions ran deep Thursday night at the back-to-back special sessions of the Quincy School Board, where many people from a crowd of about 200 vented their frustration about whether president pro tempore Melvin “Bud” Niekamp should resign.
Niekamp, a School Board member since 1989, has been the center of a firestorm since Monday when he ascended to the presidency following the unexpected resignation of Glenn Bemis. Niekamp had been vice president.
Niekamp has refused to step down as president, although the sentiment of the majority of other School Board members is for Tom Dickerson to return to the seat. Dickerson was president before Bemis was elected to replace him in April.
Those who are pro-Niekamp cite his conservative approach and attempts to keep spending in line, which have often made him a lone wolf with his many “no” votes on board matters. The anti-Niekamp camp believes he is not qualified to lead the board.
“I may not have a college education, but I went to the school of hard knocks,” Niekamp said. “And I feel I have a lot of common sense.”
Niekamp’s seat on the board also is under fire. Local CPA and former School Board member Dennis Koch has officially begun the steps to challenge Niekamp’s seat on the School Board on the grounds that serving on both the School Board and Adams County Board is incompatible.
Beth Toumbs asked Niekamp if he was willing to step down from the County Board to concentrate on the School Board. He said he would not.
There were numerous pleas from people who stepped to the podium in the Baldwin Round Room to end the standoff between Niekamp and other board members for the sake of:
• Quincy becoming a laughingstock, although some felt that line had probably already been crossed. The term “three-ring circus” came up more than once. “A whole set of new punchlines have been written tonight,” said David Harman, who vowed he would do whatever he could to make sure Niekamp is never re-elected again.
• Allowing egos to get in the way of the future of the 6,800 children in the district. Jealousy and vindictiveness also were the root of much of the existing problem, many felt.
• The board will be paralyzed with a leader none of the members will follow.
The first meeting was called by Niekamp for 4 p.m. after Dickerson, Bemis and fellow board member Steven Krause had called for a 5:30 p.m. meeting after Bemis announced Monday that he had resigned from the leadership post he held for less than two months.
The two meetings lasted a combined 2 hours, 45 minutes, with a steady parade of speakers taking up most of that time. Among those in attendance was Regional Superintendent of Schools Ray Scheiter.
“I’ve never seen so many people at a meeting like this in my life,” he said.
Many of the speakers were emotional, their voices trembling.
“I am affected by all of this,” said Baldwin North teacher Wendy Venvertloh, who felt Niekamp should step down. “I am Christian ... and I am praying for you, Bud. I am praying for you.”
“Well, you better keep on praying, because I’m not going anywhere,” Niekamp said.
Wendy Venvertloh’s husband, Steve, also addressed the board.
“Sometimes in life, you have to check your ego at the door (and) realize it’s not about me,” he said.
At one juncture, Niekamp said his disagreements with the board were the other members’ problem.
“They’re going to have to come around,” he said.
Former board president Jim Citro asked Niekamp to resign his position. Richard Jones requested during both meetings for Niekamp to resign.
“This district is in crisis ... this is not a time to play games,” Citro said.
“This has turned into a fiasco,” Jones said. “You are tearing this community apart. I beseech you, I beg you.”
“You are not qualified to be president,” Julie Clifton said to Niekamp.
Niekamp complained afterward that the crowd was stacked against him with teachers.
“I don’t understand it, because I’m their best ally,” he said.
Niekamp did have a few vocal backers.
“I am distressed by this situation,” said Otis Pleasant. “If the board did not think Mr. Niekamp was qualified to serve as president, they should have never voted for him for vice president.
“Put an end to this madness right now. When you say you will be open and transparent, do that and be that.”
“This is a travesty,” Joseph Kerkhoff said. “It is a disgrace what you are doing to this man. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Nicole Hines said Niekamp was the only board member “willing to make changes” and accused other board members and some of those in the audience of not treating him with the proper amount of respect.
“I hope you stick to your guns and make some changes,” she said to Niekamp. “I think you’re pretty cool.”
“I’ve never been called that before,” Niekamp replied.
— seighinger@whig.com/221-3377
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