[billiefan2000]

New OPS principals appointed
By Joe Dejka
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


Newly appointed principals of Omaha’s Central and Benson High Schools say they’re excited about their assignments for next year.

Omaha Public Schools Superintendent John Mackiel announced Thursday the appointment of Keith Bigsby as principal at Central High School and Anita Harkins at Benson High School for the 2010-11 school year.

The two will replace retiring principals at both schools. Greg Emmel is retiring from Central, and Lisa Dale is retiring from Benson.

Harkins, who is now principal at Norris Middle School, said she’s “definitely humbled” to win the trust of Mackiel.




She described Norris as a “fantastic school with a wonderful staff and students and, of course, I’m saddened that I have to leave them.”

Her first job with OPS in 1996 was at Benson as an English and journalism teacher and newspaper adviser. She has been with the district 14 years and has three children.

“I’m excited to return to where it all started for me with OPS,” Harkins said.

Harkins said she’s looking forward to providing the best learning environment for students at Benson.

Bigsby, principal of McMillan Magnet Center and a former teacher and administrator at Central, said he’s “very excited, very honored” to be named principal at a school he considers “the finest high school in the state.”

He has been with the Omaha Public Schools for 27 years.

In 2005-06, he was Central’s assistant principal for data before moving to McMillan.

Bigsby said he and his wife, Michele, have a personal stake in Central. Their oldest daughter, Casey, graduated from Central. Daughter Michaela is a sophomore at the school, and daughter Maureen will be a freshman next year.

“Not only is Central where I send my kids, but it’s also our neighborhood school,” Bigsby said. “You can see Central from our house. It’s been a big presence in our life for a long time.”


New OPS principals appointed - Omaha.com

[Omaha Rocks]

With all due respect to the woman herself, and to women in general, I do NOT think that hiring a woman as the principal of Omaha Benson is the best move.

Look at what Gene Haynes has done as Principal at North High. His leadership is incredible, and much needed. There's no way on earth that any woman could replicate that.



I'll now put on my poncho in anticipation of all the tomatoes that will be thrown at me.

[McBain II]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

I'll now put on my poncho in anticipation of all the tomatoes that will be thrown at me.

Oh you'll need more than that.

[star_gazer]

I have to say... I am a little surprised that the diversity embracing representative from east Omaha is automatically denouncing appointment of a principal merely on the basis of gender.

[billiefan2000]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

With all due respect to the woman herself, and to women in general, I do NOT think that hiring a woman as the principal of Omaha Benson is the best move.

Look at what Gene Haynes has done as Principal at North High. His leadership is incredible, and much needed. There's no way on earth that any woman could replicate that.



I'll now put on my poncho in anticipation of all the tomatoes that will be thrown at me.

I agree on Haynes. He was VP when I graduated from Omaha North in 98 and he is one who cares for the students but will also scare you too.


I and many learned that Haynes you dont want to mess with.



we need more principals who are like General Patton and less Patton Leather like principals.




I dont think it is cause she is a woman that I have issue with Benson 's new principal

My concern is Harkins will be just as soft and weak at making Benson good as Lisa Dale was.


whether it be a man or woman being the new principal of Benson, I would still be concerned.

the trauncy problem and their terrible football team among other issues Benson High has

are needed to be talked about and dealt with.







dont know much about Bigsby but I wish he and the new alumni reps at Central High Alumni Home


the best. I also hope Omaha Central can be good at football again and knock the smile of Millard South and Millard West this fall


================================================

speaking of Omaha Central



Happy 150th, Central High
By Henry J. Cordes
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER




Two Nobel Prize winners and an Oscar-winning actor.

The inventors of hair-growing drug Rogaine and of the TV dinner.

A Hall of Fame football running back. A Medal of Honor soldier.

Renowned authors, philosophers and opera singers.


more... Happy 150th, Central High - Omaha.com

[billiefan2000]

btw


OPS has some good female principals


Deborah A. Frison at Burke comes to mind.

[star_gazer]

On the other hand Rocks, I can see where you're coming from. I imagine you would want a tough, male principal in an embattled school environment like North.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by star_gazer

On the other hand Rocks, I can see where you're coming from. I imagine you would want a tough, male principal in an embattled school environment like North.

He certainly would scare off all the sissy Millard kids.

[billiefan2000]

[/i][/b]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

He certainly would scare off all the sissy Millard kids.

true to that.


forget the Millard kids


even Millard South and Millard West alumni reps and grads wouldnt last 15 minutes if they were having to work at Omaha North high school

they would be too scared.


Millard North 's people btw not scared as much cause Millard North folks tend have more backbone and more of a spine and more risk-takers that MS and MW folks.



I btw know some alumni reps and grads from all 3 schools and the Millard North grads I know tend to have more of a backbone than MS and MW folks.



for the record: I believe not all MW and MS grads are spine-less but a lot of them wouldnt last long in North Omaha

[star_gazer]

I don't doubt any of this.