Education chief steps down

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Nov 23, 2006 by Barbara Hollingsworth

By Barbara Hollingsworth

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Education commissioner Bob Corkins resigned effective Wednesday following a year filled with sharp criticism of his appointment as the state's top education official.

Dale Dennis, longtime deputy education commissioner, will be the interim leader.

Facing the likelihood that he would have been fired in January anyway, Corkins turned in his resignation to Kansas State Board of Education chairman Steve Abrams on Monday. During a special meeting Wednesday afternoon, which mostly took place behind closed doors, the state school board on a 7-3 vote accepted his resignation.

"This is a new day, and I'm looking forward to a new year," said state board member Janet Waugh, D-Kansas City. "I think it will be great for education and the kids of Kansas."

A controversial hire from the start, Corkins was never embraced by the state board's four moderate and liberal members, including Waugh. And most educators in Kansas looked to Corkins with either skepticism or criticism.

Unlike past commissioners, Corkins didn't bring with him a doctorate in education or any experience working in public schools, much less the typical ascension from a school district superintendency. And his lobbying background had many pegging him as a critic rather than a supporter of public schools.

As the year went on, he faced criticism for the exodus of experienced education department employees, a focus on controversial initiatives and a resulting department that critics said wasn't as helpful.

"Bob's in way over his head," Winston Brooks, superintendent in Wichita Unified School District 259, told The Topeka Capital- Journal last month.

Corkins' supporters - who, at least vocally, are smaller in number - say the criticism resulted from the state's educational elite, who refuse to consider new ideas and never gave Corkins a chance. They say his reorganization of the department will pay off, especially the creation of a department that is supposed to promote innovations.

The way Corkins was treated was a "tragedy" and "shameful," said Connie Morris, a conservative Republican from St. Francis who lost her re-election bid for the board this summer. She voted against accepting his resignation.

"I think that was very unfair," said board member Kathy Martin, R- Clay Center. "He is very humble. He is a very smart man. He has taken it with dignity and grace despite the tacky things people have said publicly to and about him."

Corkins' resignation played out far differently than that of his predecessor, Andy Tompkins, who retired and took a teaching position at The University of Kansas. Few reporters were there the day Tompkins resigned, receiving praise from both moderates and conservatives on the board.

But on Wednesday afternoon, reporters made up the bulk of about 20 people who showed up for the state board meeting. If Corkins hadn't resigned this week, he was widely expected to be fired when moderates took control of the board in January, following recent election wins. But unlike in recent board meetings, where tempers have flared, board members sounded congenial.

"I think today's actions by the board indicated a desire for cooperation by all the board members," said Bill Wagnon, D-Topeka. "We are going to work really hard beginning in January to keep that cooperation functioning."

All but two state board members participated in the meeting over the phone, with several out of town for Thanksgiving. So Abrams described the crowded room to those on the phone just before the meeting started, and the audience was ushered out of the room for a closed-door executive session.

"We already have a good quorum of media," he quipped.

When the meeting was opened again, Abrams read from Corkins' resignation letter, dated Monday. Corkins' office has since been cleared of his personal belongings .

The letter stated, in part: "My gratitude for the opportunity you've given me this past year is profound and I have approached every day with a solemn respect for the duties of this role. Many substantial decisions were required during my term and I have not had a moment's regret over any. Much of my confidence has been due to sound counsel from my colleagues at the agency and to the positive influence of chairman Abrams' wisdom."

A call to Corkins' home Wednesday night wasn't answered.

Board members agreed to give Corkins a month of severance pay and benefits estimated at $11,000.

Barbara Hollingsworth can be reached at (785) 295-1285

or barbara.hollingsworth@

cjonline.com.