SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILLIPS RESPONDS TO JUSTIN LINDGREN'S RESIGNATION

[My Northern Wisconsin]

   

PART 1:  TEACHER FACES LOSS OF JOB DUE TO A STATEMENT HE MADE

PART 2:  TEACHER HAS ALLEGEDLY LOST HIS JOB DUE TO STATEMENT HE MADE

PART 3:  JUSTIN LINDGREN, BAND TEACHER, AGREES TO SHARE HIS PERSONNEL FILE

PART 4 (This Article):  SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILLIPS RESPONDS TO JUSTIN LINDGREN'S RESIGNATION

On May 11, 2023, Attorney Stephen Weld, representing the School District of Phillips, replied to our final five questions regarding the band teacher, Mr. Lindgren, who received a letter from the superintendent suggesting he leave his job due to a comment he made.  Two days after receipt of that letter, Mr. Lindgren signed the school's resignation documents, though he later asked the school board to rescind his resignation if they would also renew his contract for 2023-2024.  (All parts of the story can be read at the links at the top of this article.)

Mr. Weld stated, "Justin Lindgren's March 24, 2023 resignation was unanimously accepted by the Phillips Board of Education at its April 17, 2023 meeting in open session" after coming out of closed session to discuss the matter.  (My Price County feels Mr. Weld meant to say the April 24, 2023 meeting as the April 17, 2023 board meeting was rescheduled due to inclement weather.  We further believe Mr. Weld meant to say March 22, 2023 instead of March 24,2023, as the resignation document obtained by My Northern Wisconsin was dated March 22, 2023.)

According to the attorney, Mr. Lindgren's vacant band position was posted on the Wisconsin Education Career Access Network (WECAN) upon receipt of the resignation.  Mr. Weld said, "Candidates were vetted.  The vacancy was filled after the resignation was accepted by the board."  Therefore, in the last 2 1/2 weeks since that school board meeting, a new band teacher has been selected for the 2023-2024 school year.  According to the Personnel Report, Jayden Gustafson will be the new band teacher once she is approved.  She is on the agenda to be approved as a new hire at the Monday, May 15, 2023 school board meeting, which will be held at 5 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

   
Source:  School District of Phillips

Mr. Weld further commented that "Wisconsin Statute 118.22 sets out the procedure school districts must follow when processing full-time teacher employment contracts for the following school year.  All employees in Wisconsin, including teachers, are 'at will' unless another substantive standard is set out in their individual or collective employment contract or the Employer's Employee Handbook/Personnel Policies.  In the case of teachers, District/Board policies and rules and/or Wisconsin Statutes 118.21 and 118.22 also may establish a different substantive standard, such as whether the decision was arbitrary or capricious; constituted substantial fault, just cause, or misconduct; or violated public policy."

The School District of Phillips has not answered one of our first questions regarding the reason why students reportedly were not allowed to put up signs at school in support of Mr. Lindgren.  However, they did answer our final five questions in full (seen above) and did not provide any further comment.

To share this article on Facebook, click this link and press "Share."



SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST:  Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store sells all flooring types (carpet, vinyl, wood, & ceramic), bedding / mattresses, appliances, solar systems, and consignment sales of furniture, automobiles, farming & logging equipment, ATVs, UTVs, trailers, and campers.  Call 715-339-4838 for product inquiries, and follow Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store's Facebook page.