Albert Lea Area Schools staff and community members urged the Albert Lea School Board on Monday to move past its differences and support retaining Deputy Superintendent Lori Volz, who accepted a position with Mankato Public Schools last month.

In an address to Albert Lea community leaders, community members and staff members, Superintendent Mike Funk described Volz as the top finance director in the district, adding that she has overseen several positive steps the district has taken, such as $16.5 million in facilities upgrades to heating and ventilation systems, implementing $1.5 million in wireless internet infrastructure, tax decreases, the district’s Chromebook initiative and other measures.

Funk took partial responsibility for Volz’s looming departure.

“As superintendent, I have had a role in shaping that environment,” he said.

Funk compared the need for the district to move forward from the 2014 balanced-calendar discussion to his time spent on NATO peacekeeping missions in Bosnia in September 2003 through April 2004 and his deployment to Kosovo from July 2007 to July 2008.

He said though Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, Serbia still does not recognize it as a sovereign nation, which has led to difficulty moving forward.

He acknowledged that his comment to community members during the calendar issue that “There are only 100 of you here,” irritated people and impacted the community.

“I apologize for hurting our district with that remark,” he said.

Funk said negative information about the district spread through sites such as ALCC For Education has made his life difficult over the last two years, adding that his family has faced the fallout from the negativity, including slashed tires and having human feces being placed on a car window.

Volz started with the district in 2009 when she was hired as the director of finance and operations. She became deputy superintendent in October 2014. She previously worked for 15 years in Blue Earth and 11 years in Austin in the school finance field.

Albert Lea board action is anticipated Nov. 21.

Volz said she plans to discuss the topic with her husband.

“I have been reflecting on all of the messages of support, comments of encouragement, and so I am taking all of this into consideration,” she said. “I am right at that point, I have to make a decision. This was a big event tonight. It meant a lot to me. I was not expecting this at all, so it’s a great compliment, and I thank the board, Dr. Funk, for these expressions of support. This means a lot.”

Board Chairman Mark Ciota also took responsibility for the board’s culture, adding that he was disturbed and distressed when Volz announced her impending departure.

“I’m the chairman of the board, and so I am accountable for that,” he said. “And for that, I apologize for that, Lori.”

He said the board has to forgive, forget and move forward.

“I am looking forward to moving forward in that direction,” he said.

Albert Lea resident Dan Dorman urged the board to hold each other accountable to prevent questioning the integrity of staff members, and he urged the board to renegotiate Volz’s contact to save taxpayers money.

He called on board member Jill Marin to either move forward or decide what her future is.

In her response, Marin said she will continue to serve on the board, adding that she agreed that the board is dysfunctional and out of order.

School board candidate Ellen Kehr said she has experienced positive interactions since her involvement with the district began seven years ago, and she commended Volz for doing a remarkable job.

“If you decide that you have to leave us now because that is best for you, I think it is safe to say that everybody wishes you the very best,” she said. “Because truly, you have given us your very best. But, if there is any chance that you would stay with us, I think that would be the best outcome for our community.”

Brad Arends  — who hosted a meeting last week to discuss how to retain Volz  —  apologized for not getting involved earlier, and he urged the board to work toward their main goal of bettering the lives of students.

He said he is worried that Volz’s departure would create a snowball effect on other staff members.

Sibley Elementary School Principal Diane Schultz called Volz a pillar of the district.

Halverson Elementary School Principal Johanna Thomas urged the board to keep Volz.

“It’s not about us, it’s about the kids,” she said. “And that’s what her main focus is.”

“You can’t let her go,” said math specialist Chris Quisley.

Board member Dave Klatt thanked Volz for her work to improve the district.

“It has not been what we want it to be, but we can keep moving forward,” he said. “I really hope … I hope that you reconsider and hang around, because you have done a great job.”

Marin said she was not sure if the privileges given to community members to discuss the issue would have been granted for the average person and questioned if there was a double standard on expectations.

Board member Linda Laurie said she has seen people cry over the news of Volz’s departure.

“You have been the rock of our district,” she said.

Board member Bill Leland asked Volz to reconsider her decision.

Board member Julie Johnson said she has enjoyed working with Volz in Albert Lea and Austin school districts, and she urged the board to have mutual respect for each other.

“Losing you would be a tremendous loss for our community and our district,” she said.