For 16 years, I have had the opportunity to sit on the Albert Lea School Board. This fall, I chose not to run for re-election. Today I would like to tell our community why.

For my first eight years on our board, I served on a management-type board. We had committees that ran the operations of the district. During this period of time, finances were always tight, and relationships with our bargaining units were challenging. As a matter of fact, we went through two costly arbitration sessions with our teachers. The district and teachers split the verdicts over major disagreements.

In 2009, we hired Superintendent Funk, who then immediately hired Lori Volz to run our finances. The two of them began to usher in the concept of governance, which was solidified when Jeshua Erickson and Mark Ciota were elected to the board in 2010. 

Since that time, our financial footing has been strong; our employees have been well compensated, with our teachers earning the highest starting salary in this part of the state. Though we may not always agree, we have solid relationships with our bargaining units with no arbitration in the last seven years. Taxes went down for three years in a row, while the district upgraded our HVAC infrastructure, and added thousands of computers and tablets to our district. Graduation rates are up, with some of our elementary schools being recognized as among the best in Minnesota.

We have done wonderful things in Albert Lea. However, because we proposed changing the school calendar for our students, we have alienated a group of individuals in our community. Over the past year, a small group of angry people has been coming to our meetings, and with the support of two board members, been critical of everything the district does, and made life miserable for the board and our administration.

Over 15 years, I observed a remarkable transition to our school district from pretty good to great. It is now slipping into major dysfunction because of a vocal minority in our community. Because of this, I have chosen to no longer be part of the drama. Unfortunately, it now has claimed Lori Volz as well. We are losing the best finance director in the state of Minnesota because of personal attacks at the board level. For that, I am sorry, and I apologize to Ms. Volz and the community for not standing up and supporting her. Her service to our community has benefited our students, our employees and our taxpayers. 

Next time you hear someone attack our district leadership, please consider the consequences. Your tax statements will likely be seeing them for years to come.

Bill Leland

Albert Lea