Blair Oaks principal testifies at all-day hearing

School board listens, makes no decision


Blair Oaks Elementary School Principal Lorie Winslow, left, and her attorney Andrew Drazen listen as the school board's attorney questions one of several teachers during Saturday's open hearing in Wardsville regarding the board's decision not to renew Ms. Winslow's contract.
Blair Oaks Elementary School Principal Lorie Winslow, left, and her attorney Andrew Drazen listen as the school board's attorney questions one of several teachers during Saturday's open hearing in Wardsville regarding the board's decision not to renew Ms. Winslow's contract.

WARDSVILLE, Mo. - After more than 12 hours of testimony Saturday, there still is no resolution in the matter of Blair Oaks School District not offering a renewed contract to elementary school principal Lorie Winslow for the 2012-13 school year.

Much of the morning testimony, which started around 9 a.m., was filled with attorneys asking teachers to confirm if they had received evaluations, whether they had signed the evaluations and to explain the purpose and function of the evaluations.

Winslow's counsel, Andrew Drazen of Doster Ullom LLC, was allowed to call witnesses first. The school district's attorney, Margaret Hesse, was allowed to cross-examine those witnesses.

After a morning of testimony and lunch adjournment, Winslow took the stand herself.

When Winslow took the stand, she immediately began telling about her 11-year history with the district. "I love my job," Winslow said. "I love what I do. I love coming to work every day. I truly believe I am doing a good job."

Winslow was questioned by her attorney and by the district's attorney for about 90 minutes each.

Companion article:

Parents, community still behind Blair Oaks principal