Blog: Team East

I’ve never been to the principal’s office either but I’m proud to say that I–like all Lancers–have a personal connection with him.

I’m not just talking about the constant exchanging of “Hellos,” “Good mornings,” and “How are yous,” that Dr. Karl Krawitz offers to anyone he passes in the hallway. I’m not just talking about the assembly at the beginning of my sophomore year where Dr. K addressed the recent alcohol related deaths so concernedly that no East student has dared to die since. I’m not just talking about his inspiring speeches or his enthusiasm at pep assemblies–including that time when he and other administrators dressed as the lead guitarist from KISS in full makeup, black wig and leather. I’m not just talking about his perfect attendance at every musical, every swim meet and every football game.

I’m talking about Dr. Krawitz’s personal connection with students: hand-written congratulation letters.

Last week, sitting in my French class, I was delivered a white envelope with “Emily Donovan” written in black ink. Inside was one of Dr. K’s trademark motivational cards where his neat, cursive writing congratulated me on my recognition at the journalism convention and sent me the best of luck with the remainder of my school year. “Excellence,” it was labeled.

Last year, I received a card applauding my “willingness to make a difference” by working at the Johnson County Election Office for a day. “It is acts of this nature,” he wrote, “which need to be honored.”

Dr. Krawitz’s endearing appreciation for every major accomplishment by group or individual isn’t just written, it’s proven: he cheers on athletes at games, makes announcements to encourage charity can drives and attends plays to congratulate everyone involved.

The halls and classrooms were buzzing today–but not about free speech or Governor Brownback. Students and teachers are concerned about Dr. Krawitz.

“The media is the only winner here; everyone else has been victimized.”

The students and their privacy have always been Dr. K’s primary concern. His public statement to the media has been, “It is a school issue, a private issue, not a public matter.”

Yet, the media chose to continue the story without waiting for more sources to fact-check. Newspapers and television have exploited this situation at the cost of all parties involved.

The student herself has become controversial within the school. While there is some empathy in the air, much of the student body is overwhelmingly disappointed.

The sentiment is clear: the inaccuracies and gaps in the published reports are jeopardizing the school.

The administration and staff are flooded with emails from misinformed readers from across the nation and globe who use profanities and quote blatant falsehoods. Seriously, what did my English teacher do to receive insults via mass email?

Concerned citizens are voicing their opinions all the wrong ways, in all of the wrong places.

Within Shawnee Mission East, we all seem to know that Dr. Krawitz held a 15-minute meeting in his office with a school administrator acting as a witness where he explained how disrespect misrepresented the school and recommended writing a letter of apology to the governor, the teacher sponsor and the district coordinator, without making demands or threatening punishment.

Outside of the building, the public has been told an entirely different story. The Kansas City Star, CNN, Time, The Atlantic, Politico and other news sources’ decision to publish the story with unverified information is not only unethical but irresponsible. The public has fallen for their sensationalism and is now turning against our faculty.

In a week, #heblowsalot will have blown over for Governor Brownback. However, Dr. Krawitz, the rest of the staff and the student body may never fully clear their names.

What the media tried to transform into a freedom of speech issue in order to make headlines and pull in audiences has changed our high school’s dynamic. The media is the only winner here; everyone else has been victimized.

Almost four years ago, Dr. Krawitz welcomed me and my classmates to high school, promising us that he would always be there to support us, from that first orientation day to graduation. Now it’s time for us to support him–and the school as a whole.

We don’t want vindication. We don’t want to drag this through headlines again to get the “real” story out. We just want to go through one day without talking about this in all seven classes. Everyone here at East hopes to unite, forgive and move on.

The media has it wrong. Dr. Krawitz and attitudes like his make Shawnee Mission East excellent.