Public commenters urge higher academic standards and criticize recent school-board election tactics; parent raises concerns about personnel process

Three members of the public used the Jan. 8 call-to-the-public period to address the board on separate topics: election conduct, the quality of student learning and a personnel/process concern involving a coach’s separation and reinstatement.

Bruce Gwen, identifying his address and saying he is a Republican, criticized what he called a “mudslinging” school-board campaign and urged candidates to “run on your merits.” He told the board the campaign tactics had scarred the community and discouraged future candidates from running.

Chris Larson said the public perceives a gap between the district’s graduation rates and measures of student proficiency. “If that education doesn't exist, let's … get that evidence so we can promote it loudly and clearly,” Larson said, pressing the district to make available evidence that its graduates have the skills needed for today’s workforce.

Parent John Leswehr (Leswehr spelled phonetically in the meeting) praised the district for reinstating a head coach and said the reunion with students was emotional and positive. He also said the separation process had limited the coach’s ability to tell his side of the story and described being told the coach could not speak with district employees; Leswehr called that process “unfair” and “abusive” and said the process needs review.

Board members did not debate the public comments during the meeting but noted the comments would be referred to staff for potential follow-up.