Questions Surfacing in Omaha about Why McCann Is Leaving Shorewood

As School Superintendent Blane McCann to lead a school district there, questions are being raised in his new district about his reasons for leaving Shorewood.

The Westside Community School Board voted 4-2 to on Monday to hire McCann to as superintendent of the district, which has 13 schools and nearly 5,900 students. Westside is the third largest district in the city of Omaha.

However, some Westside residents and board members said they weren't satisfied with the reasons McCann provided for leaving Shorewood, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

"It was, in our opinion, a little bit of a weak answer and not fully disclosing," Westside School Board member Barney Marvin told the newspaper. "And that's what contributed to the overall impression that he might not be a dynamic leader that we're looking for."

, residents here have been asking questions about whether the Shorewood School Board forced McCann to retire by refusing to offer him a new contract.

Both McCann and board members have declined to comment on why he retired after nine years with the district, with the superintendent simply saying it was time to move on.

But the World-Herald said McCann's departure may revolve around a decision made by the Shorewood School Board last year not to approve the superintendent's budget request for new administrative positions.

In April, that called for cuts in the music program, but included funds for hiring three new administrators.

But after an outcry from residents and concerns by board members, McCann to restore the music cuts and spend less on administrative positions.

While Marvin told the World-Herald that he wanted the Westside School Board to select a new superintendent on a unanimous vote, McCann told the newspaper he wasn't too concerned that board was divided on his hiring.

"I don't care if it's a 4-2 or a 6-0 vote, I think no matter where you go, you have to prove yourself," McCann said. "I'm confident I can do that."