‘Kenai Central High’s Principal is More Like A Dictator’
Parents, Students, and Alum outraged at Principal Dennis Dunn’s latest decision.
By Antonia Reitter
For most high school seniors, graduation is the most important part of their year. At Kenai Central, the feeling there is much the same. However, Principal Dennis Dunn’s decision last month to hold the ceremony at the Soldotna Sport’s Center instead of the school’s auditorium or gym has the community in an uproar.
Dunn claims that the school’s facilities are incapable of holding the number of people planned to attend. This issue has been brought up in the past, and last year’s graduating class held the ceremony at the Sports Complex. Dunn told people at a recent meeting that his decision was final, and that no amount of discussion would persuade him to feel otherwise. That did not silent the masses at Kenai Central High as the news spread quickly and the community is now involved in a petition.
Kenai senior, Jessica Summer, who is the daughter of a well-liked Kenai teacher who was one time a colleague of Mr. Dunn, spoke out with a lengthy letter to the editor in the Peninsula Clarion. “We seniors have invested up to four years of our time and emotion in Kenai Central High School,” Summer wrote. “To graduate in another building, let alone another town, would cast a pall over an otherwise joyous event.”
Summer and her classmates are not the only ones speaking out against the decision. Erin Rome, a KCHS 2003 graduate, attends the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, OR. “I’m not really surprised, Mr. Dunn has never really cared about other people’s opinions,” she said. “He’s more like a dictator; doing what he wants, when he wants, however he wants.” Rome also noted that she would participate in any way possible to some how have Dunn’s decision overturned.
Other alumni have also spoken out. Amanda Gifford, a 2004 graduate, was a part of the graduation ceremonies last year at the Sports Center. In her letter to the editor she gave insight in how the class decided to use the complex. “The administration deceived us. Mr. Dunn came around to each senior classroom and stated his argument to why the class of 2004 should hold their graduation at the sports center,” she said. Not only did Dunn argue his point, he made it sound like it was the only option. “From what I understand, the class of 2005 is experiencing what we did,” noted Gifford. “My advice for you is don't give up, it is YOUR graduation, not Mr. Dunn's.”
Alum and upset seniors do not make up the majority of those protesting. The entire Kenai Community has rallied around the cause. The Kenai Fire Department investigated alternatives for the seniors to hold the ceremony on campus. The Gymnasium is more than big enough to allow family members and friends, as well as members of the ceremony, to participate. Kenai Central’s teachers are also supporting not their administer, but their students, even suggesting how they could use both the auditorium and the gym so that more of the school’s students could attend. And the Kenai City Council have sent several letters to the school’s administration to reconsider it’s decision. All of which gave Mr. Dunn a reason to say that the community’s opinion was important and that he would hear their arguments next week.
Still, many members of the class of 2003 warn the ‘05 seniors to not get too excited. “He’s said he wants to hear opinions before,” Derek George said. “But all that really meant was, ‘yeah, I’ll let you talk, but it won’t matter in the long run.’” Derek referred to the ‘03's experiences of not being allowed to choose their own class motto, or decide whether ‘part-time’ students would be allowed to walk. “He’s a jerk,” Erin Rome stated. “My bet is he won’t let them walk at Kenai Central. Seniors won’t have a say until he’s out of that school.”
Sue Reitter, mother of an ‘03 KCHS Alum, had the last word, “I just hope that with this getting as much attention as it has, that the School Board rethinks keeping him on as Principal. It’s just not right.”
Mr. Dunn could not be reached for comment.
