During the public‑comment period at the Batavia USD 101 Board of Education meeting, a recent student and commenter, identified as Martin Fern, criticized the district’s approach to implementing its strategic plan and expressed distrust of an outside consultant’s role.

Martin Fern spoke during public comment and urged the board to pursue “true transformation” rather than repeat past processes. Fern said the district’s prior year commitments had not yielded perceived change and questioned the consultant-led approach. “The DMG plan represents yet another opportunity for true transformation that you are being asked to blow,” Fern said. “I have no confidence that DMG's approach will move us anywhere closer to true transformation and trust and transparency.”

Fern criticized what he described as a recurring pattern of paying an outside consultant roughly $100,000 to produce recommendations that result in small committees and “late night convoluted vague discussions” without sustained changes. He urged the board to center student voices and adopt uncomfortable, honest corrections rather than “more of the same.”

His remarks occurred during the public‑comment portion of the meeting; board members did not respond during that period. The board later proceeded to reports and school presentations.