New chapter for Douglas County School District as Superintendent Lewis leaves

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County School Board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Keith Lewis during a special meeting on Wednesday, November 1. The motion to accept his resignation and termination agreement was passed 5-2, with Trustees Linda Gilkerson, Tony Magnotta, Carey Kangas, Katherine Dickerson, and President Susan Jansen voting yes to authorize Lewis’ resignation and authorize payments in accordance with his agreement. Clerk David Burns and Vice President Doug Englekirk were opposed.

"We're going to really miss you, Keith," said Magnotta during the meeting.

His resignation comes almost a month after the last board meeting where a motion failed to pass to accept his original termination and severance agreement. At the time Lewis said he'd try to stay on after months of struggles between him and the newly elected board members and subsequent firing of the longtime District legal counsel and hiring of Reno lawyer Joey Gilbert.

Following the October 6 board meeting, Keith's personal lawyer, Thomas Beko said it became clear that many people, including some board members, thought Lewis was being coerced into voluntarily resigning. Beko wanted to make it clear that it is Lewis's decision to leave, so they asked for Wednesday's meeting to address the severance agreement.

Multiple people took the opportunity Wednesday to give Lewis praise, and to thank him for his 27 years of service in Douglas County schools where he was a coach, teacher, head of personnel, and then, since three years ago, as superintendent.

"I want to say thank you," said Lewis as he prepared his departure. "Three-plus years ago I said it was the honor of a lifetime to be superintendent, and I leave here today still feeling that. It has been an honor to serve as a leader."

Lewis said he was humbled by the support of his family by the community. He thanked his wife and children for supporting him through his educational career.

"They have had to sacrifice a lot," said an emotional Lewis.

The District's Executive Director of Inclusive Education, Jeannie Dwyer, was appointed acting superintendent. She said she will continue to work together for what's best for the students, staff, and community.

The District will now start the process of finding a permanent superintendent, following the District processes.

Community members who spoke expressed their concerns, wanting to make sure the search and hiring process was open and transparent.

Marty Swisher of the group "We Deserve a Better Board" and former Douglas High School principal, said the community deserves the best non-partisan education possible. The group's 692 members will continue to be engaged, he said.

He also said that Lewis's removal is "part of a larger plan" made prior to the board being elected. "We are at a crossroads as a District," he said as he implored the Board to work together to create the best district for its over 5,300 students.

Douglas County School District was recently ranked as number one out of 17 districts in Nevada, second for best teachers, and sixth for best athletes, all obtained under Lewis's tutelage.

Trustee Gilkerson, who has been on the school board for seven years, two of those as board president, was quieted by Gilbert and Jansen as she expressed her frustration with the new board members' agenda.

"Losing Keith is a huge loss," said Gilkerson. She commended Lewis for being a gifted leader who always did what was right for the students, staff, teachers, and the community.

"Boy is he loved!" said Gilkerson.

She was stopped by Gilbert and Jensen when she started to say the new board members got what they wanted, and what they said during a political rally before the election to get rid of Lewis, was one more check in a box on their agenda.

Jansen said that everyone needed to follow decorum, or, that as president, she would not hesitate to remove anyone from the meeting.

Gilkerson was not the only person speaking who appeared frustrated, and as with all meetings in recent months, people have spoken about their frustrations with the new board, new counsel, and new bylaws.

As part of his separation agreement, Lewis will receive his salary, COBRA, and state retirement contributions through July 31, 2024.

The agreement that was signed Wednesday also said:

Lewis will resign his position as Superintendent effective immediately following the payment of the PERS benefits and accepted by the Public
Employee’s Retirement System so that Lewis will thereafter be able to retire
with 30 years of public service. Lewis will waive the 90-day notice period.

The District shall pay Lewis, in a lump sum for any unused paid time off.

Lewis agrees that he will not personally participate in any effort to recall the existing Trustees (save and except his right to vote in any recall election), and he will refrain, for a period of three years from the Effective Date of this Agreement, from initiating any contact with any officer or employee of the District for the specific purpose of interfering with the Trustee’s efforts to direct the operations of the District.