Mr. Dale Lechler This is Me

Education

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1. 1. News: The Sealy News Online, Sealy Texas

   www.sealynews.com/articles/200 - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/28/2005   Last Visited: 1/28/2005

   The non-renewal of Sealy ISD's superintendent contract may have Dale Lechler a bit uncertain as to what his future may hold, but it should not be a reason for concern, according to members of his school board.
   
   Board members voted Thursday, Jan. 20 not to renew the top administrator's contract, citing concerns that Lechler may exit his contract to enter retirement before his service is up with the district.
   
   The Sealy News regrettably reported in error last week that Lechler had been granted an extra year on his contract. The actual board vote returned was against any extensions.
   
   "I believe your interpretation of what I said was reasonable, but in fact, the board actually voted not to extend my contract," Lechler said Monday in response to the factual inaccuracies of last Friday's news article.
   ...
   But given communications between Lechler and the board in the past, she said most were expecting him to enter his retirement at that time.
   
   Extending a contract beyond that date, she said, really puts the board in a bind if he leaves sooner.
   
   "Finding a new superintendent for our district could take months, and by having a firmer understanding of his future plans, the board will be better prepared to fill that position when he does choose to leave. We just didn't have a firm confirmation of that at this time."
   
   Lechler said he had submitted in writing for the board's review a request for an additional three years on his contract, pointing to his successes with administrative hiring, improved standardized test performance and the nearing completion of the new high school as measures of his success as Sealy ISD's lead administrator.
   
   Board members apparently thought otherwise, Lechler said. "It really came as a complete surprise to me," he said.
   
   No plans are currently on the table to review the superintendent's contract. In order to be placed on a future meeting agenda, at least two board members will need to request it.
   
   Lechler said he requested the three-year contract because that's generally the average time length of most superintendent contracts across the state. He secured a four-year contract previously due to the sheer size of the task at hand of securing a bond issue and building a new high school.
   ...
   Lechler has actually qualified for retirement since last summer, though when asked by The Sealy News on Monday if he planned to enter retirement within the next three years, he gave a firm no.
   ...
   "Dale has done a great job for the district," he said, citing bond issue passage and remarkable facility improvements. He pointed to constant need for better academic performance, but even regarding that subject, Dr. Hermann said Lechler and his staff had secured some strong leadership and programs that he suspects will begin to raise the bar significantly in years to come.
   
   Gilbert also praised Lechler's performance, raising many of the same issues as her counterparts on the board.

2. 2. School Minutes, Agendas & Notes

   www.sealyisd.com/Board%20Agend - [Cached]

   Last Visited: 8/18/2006

   Mr. Lechler requested permission to remove the ropes course to make room on the property for a tractor / equipment storage shed. He told the board there has been an inquiry from a group in the community interested in obtaining and relocating the ropes course to their property.
   ...
   Mr. Lechler was instructed to have the Code printed as discussed.
   ...
   ** Mr. Lechler informed the board that Raenee Staff, Stephanie Engstrom, Genie Lorenz, Roy Novosad, Donald Gann, Vickie Gann, Tammy Dotson, and Rubin Dethloff had resigned.
   ...
   Dale Lechler verified that the agenda was posted according to law and a quorum was present.
   ...
   Under this agreement, Mr. Dale Lechler will retire effective December 16, 2005. He will work full-time as Superintendent through September 15, 2005. From September 15, 2005 through December 16, 2005 he will serve as an advisor/consultant.
   ...
   Mr. Lechler introduced the vantage points to the board and informed them that this would be an action item on the June agenda.

3. 3. News: The Sealy News Online, Sealy Texas

   www.sealynews.com/articles/200 - [Cached]

   Last Visited: 1/16/2004

   By DALE LECHLER, Superintendent of Sealy ISD, January 16, 2004