I have two primary concerns with the school district that I would like to address. This is nothing personal against any of the board members or Dr. Funk — simply a perspective from a concerned community member and parent.

 

Superintendent and
School Board

I have an issue with the unprofessionalism displayed by Dr. Funk. I listened to the KATE radio interview he did on March 29 and was in disbelief of what he stated. He is the leader of our schools, the leader of our children, and he is blaming the community and social media for teachers not wanting to come here? You have the leader who runs our district calling anything that he disagrees with minutia? That is not the way a superintendent should act. As superintendent, you are going to be challenged. You will have people who don’t agree with you. Getting visibly upset at board meetings and getting angry with community members when they question you is not acceptable.

I believe the reason teachers are leaving and we have a shortage isn’t because of the coaching positions filled by non-teachers. It’s not because of the community or ALCC on Facebook. Dr. Funk is the one who has the most influence on what the culture is in the school, and right now, it is toxic. He is the one that can create a positive or a negative working environment. If the teachers are happy and feel safe, it is going to benefit our children. I have talked to several teachers who I believe are afraid of Dr. Funk. For the most part, the only teachers who will dare speak out are teachers who have moved on. They talk about having to live in fear. If they speak out against the administration, they either get moved to a position they don’t like or they leave our district.

The School Board is required to hold the superintendent accountable for his actions, and they clearly are not doing their job. We have one board member who will ask the questions that the community wants answered, but whenever the questions are asked, the chair immediately shuts her down. The community and teachers are not being heard. The School Board is the voice of the community and only one member actually is. The rest are out of touch with what the community wants to know, or just don’t want to ask the questions. This is what is being seen by the community, not just the 100 people that Dr. Funk pointed out.

I am saying all of this because I don’t want us to go through another disaster like we did with the school calendar. We all need to remember what the focus is here: the greater good for our kids, school district and community. The culture that this administration and School Board have created needs to change. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening until we get new school board members this fall. Who knows, maybe I will run.

 

 Aaron Phillips

Albert Lea