By Margaret Hopper

The doors of the Silver Consolidated Schools administration building were locked before 5:00 Thursday evening for the school district special meeting, while cars filled the parking lots, front and back, and people milled out front, waiting for entry. The crowd continued to grow and the wait was long. The most significant commonality was the sports uniforms so many wore: softball, baseball, football, track - the owners wore them proudly. And, for a change, so many of them were high school kids, although a number of adults there were wearing them, too.

Word came that the doors would open at 5:45 p.m., in time for the meeting. Knowing seating could be limited in the boardroom, those standing at the front did not move far; those in back could mill around, but those near the doors didn't risk losing those places. Time ticked slowly by.

When the doors finally opened, access was limited. A city policeman and others were carefully counting; 75 could be allowed in the boardroom, 25 more in the lobby. Signs posted on the walls confirmed the numbers. There were press people to be given space, even if they weren't up front, and a few political figures that the inside crowd was willing to bring in; a few graciously opted to go back out so another could take that place.

When the quota was reached, the doors shut, but most remained just outside rather than leave. Inside, the board settled in their chairs, and at 6:02, the gavel started the meeting. All five board members were there: Frances Vasquez, Mike McMillan, Chris Arvidson, Tony Egan and Arnold Torres, board president. And an attorney could be seen in the background, occasionally.

After roll call, they moved to go into closed session. Then, the longer wait began.

Some expected a short session, but this one outdid any closed meeting here in years. So people had plenty of time to visit, go out to the lobby for a soda, take a break of any kind.

Press measured their photo angles and distances, planned how to get the most out of the few brief minutes after the board returned. The visiting continued, time moved slowly. The policeman held his position for a long time, then eventually went the way the board had gone, and stayed quite some time out of sight.

The hours went by. Shortly before ten p.m. the board filed back. The motion was to return from closed session. Torres noted that no decisions had been made; they had only discussed matters on the agenda. He then said he would entertain a motion to approve the buyout of the superintendent for $60,000. When the motion was made and seconded, a low rumble of protest began but was gaveled down.

Torres then asked if there was any discussion. Each board member took a turn at that point. Vasquez spoke first, saying it was important that she had permission to talk. She addressed many concerns, but admitted the bottom line was the price of ending it all that night, and being able to start fresh tomorrow. That, she said, was worth the $60,000 price tag. She would vote for it.

McMillan said the board had instructed legal council to investigate Mr. Streib's recent behavior. He, too, thought this was the best option to move forward, beginning tomorrow.

Arvidson said this board did not have any authority and did not make any personnel decisions about the coaches; Mr. Streib made those on his own. The acting superintendent would remedy any and all issues with the coaches, and the board looks forward to his report on those decisions.

Egan said he was not happy with what had happened in these last weeks. He was looking to moving forward with the future acting-superintendent.

Torres said with recent information, he would not be in favor of the buyout. That was his decision. He then called for the vote, four in favor of the buyout; he was against it. Then, he asked for a motion to accept John Carter as the next acting superintendent. After the motion was made, board members again gave brief comments, saying they would be ready to work with him tomorrow. Torres took the vote, and Carter entered to speak.

Saying he was not excited to do this, he would do the temporary job until a better candidate could be found. He reminded them they couldn't change the past; they could only work on the future. Nor would he make them happy every time, but he would be supportive until another could be found.

The call came to reinstate the coaches. Carter returned to say he would talk with them tomorrow; he was still with another school, and had things to do there, but he would try to work with the coaches before noon tomorrow.

With that, the adjournment was called. The time was about 10:05.

Continuing coverage to follow.