South Bend superintendent weighs in on his status with school board

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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South Bend Schools Superintendent Robert Zimmerman

South Bend Schools Superintendent Robert Zimmerman says he and the school board are on better terms as he heads toward this year's performance evaluation. (Tribune File Photo)

By WSBT News1

SOUTH BEND — There was a lot of tension between the South Bend school board and Superintendent Robert Zimmerman just five months ago, but now Zimmerman says the two sides are in a better position.

The board will assess Zimmerman’s performance in June.

The last time that happened, Zimmerman received a lot of support from the community as rumors swirled that the school board wanted him out.

“We're continuing to work through it, and I think we're probably in better shape than last time the evaluations went through,” Zimmerman told WSBT News.

He has received a lot of criticism recently from the community for denying Sen. Hillary Clinton's request to speak at Washington High School during the school day.

He then approved a request from Sen. Barack Obama to speak while students were off for spring break.

“It really was a very simple decision to make,” explained Zimmerman. “We decided in the district that we have an open forum after school hours."

He stands by that decision. School board member Dawn Jones says it has caused no problems with the board, despite some talk in the community.

“Dr. Zimmerman obtained information, opinions and information, from the board as well as his cabinet as well as the people in the school corporation and made the best decision based on the information he had for the students at Washington High School,” said Jones.

In fact, when it comes to talk about possible problems between Zimmerman and the board, school board member Ralph Pieniazkiewicz said, “Put it to rest, put it to rest. This all started before, put it to bed."

Zimmerman says he's staying positive.

“We're working together and we have our challenges but we continue to work together, and hopefully we can put our differences behind us for the sake of the kids.”

Zimmerman is in the middle of a three-year contract. It's set to expire in 2009.

Friday, May 30 at 12:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Yikes...giving money to educators is like giving dope to an addict. OMG, what are you thinking???? So true. Yes education is important-but honestly it is seldom spent wisely-this I do know, and the fact they seldom do scares me. Keep asking for more and results decline. That does not scare you HMMMMM.

Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 AM John Wesley wrote ...

As long as you have a professional educator and manager, under the thumb of, answerable to and employed at the whim of a bunch of political hacks, you will continue to have turmoil, waste and incompetence in the operating of the schools, unless there is a why to have a professional board or an autonomous superintendent our schools not only in SBN but the country in general are doomed.

Thursday, May 29 at 7:21 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Yikes...giving money to educators is like giving dope to an addict. OMG, what are you thinking???? Children need an education. You may not like paying for it but too bad. I would rather pay money for a child's education than pay for their prison time later. You people scare me sometimes.

Monday, Apr 21 at 5:26 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Yeah let's build another school. We should be closing some. Spend all this money sending students? on a bus to a place they do not want to be nor graduate from. Giving money to educators is like giving dope to an addict.

Friday, Apr 18 at 1:32 PM Jon wrote ...

It is so easy to be critical of those who have to make the decisions. The Washington school issue was a no win situation any way you looked at it. Put as much effort into your children as you do complaining and everyone wins.

Friday, Apr 18 at 10:48 AM Kay wrote ...

The South Bend Schools have been in a decline since the late 1970's. That is not fixed in one or even two years. I find it ironic that most of the people questioning the intelligence of the board members and Dr Zimmerman sound fairly uneducated themselves. The Clinton thing is over, get over it. They had very little time to make a decision, in hindsight maybe it wasn't the best decision but no one was harmed and the world goes on. I cannot believe what a mountain people are making of this issue.

Friday, Apr 18 at 6:52 AM Get A Life wrote ...

How many of you people that are able to do better voted for school board in the last election? It is so easy to second guess someone else. If you realy are concerned then GET INVOLVED! Run for or support and work on a school board campaign. If you are not willing then leave it alone. We need action not lame words! If you have children in school what are you doing to help them? Do you check thier homework? Do you go and meet with the teachers? That is what is needed to decrease the drop out rate!

Friday, Apr 18 at 1:40 AM Caught In Crossfire wrote ...

Of course they are all getting along now. Before it was the board vs. the superintendent. Now it school board & superintendent vs. the court of public opinion over the Washington H.S. debacle. If they survive this (my money says they won't) they had better get their stuff together and unify before another bombshell hits.

Thursday, Apr 17 at 11:28 PM Greg wrote ...

Not impressed with any of these people...kind of sad really...

Thursday, Apr 17 at 11:08 PM High Schoolers? wrote ...

I can see why he would be add odd with them. Have you seen them on the news? Half witted morons... I think the high schoolers have more education than some of them.

Thursday, Apr 17 at 11:04 PM In The Know wrote ...

Dr. Zimmerman is a lier and so is the board there is so much stuff hid under the rug it will blow the minds of alot of tax payers...THEY ARE WASTING SO MUCH MONEY JUST ASK HOW AND WHY...?? Audit transportation for starters

Thursday, Apr 17 at 10:08 PM oddly positioned people wrote ...

I'm really impressed that y'all are on speaking terms again. It's all very sweet and kodak moment-ish. I nearly shed a tear I was so touched. Anyway, we in the community were just sort of wondering, there's no pressure mind you, but now that your little spat is done, do you think you could, oh, idunno, DO YOUR FREAKING JOBS?!?!!

Thursday, Apr 17 at 9:46 PM Jack wrote ...

Dr. Z is a good guy. I don't think this is a win position for anyone - think about it, who could really do any better given the circumstances?

Thursday, Apr 17 at 8:53 PM Ben wrote ...

Zimmerman is a joke. Get rid of him. Make sure that moron never runs a school corporation again.

Thursday, Apr 17 at 8:08 PM Jake wrote ...

What has Zimmerman done since he's been here? I haven't seen anything positive coming from him or this administration since he's been here. He's been here long enough to put his stamp on the corporation, but his stamp is nothing so far except schmoozing people and making people think he is worthy of the job. All fluff, no substance. We can do better than him and most of the current school board.

Thursday, Apr 17 at 7:28 PM Time for a people revamp wrote ...

It ain't their position that people should be worried about. It's the position they are putting their students in and it ain't real flattering.

Thursday, Apr 17 at 6:10 PM LARRY wrote ...

Waste more taxpayers money on new school $50 MILLION buildings. This has not improved the dropout rate it looks like it has gone up.

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