Sartell-St. Stephen School District Employees Secure Jobs Following Contract Approvals

In a packed meeting on Friday night, the Sartell-St. Stephen school district approved the contracts of 21 employees, ensuring they will not be out of work on Monday.

The school board had been in a months-long debate over whether to collectively approve the contracts. Interim Superintendent Tom Lee recommended the collective approval, but board members Emily Larson, Jen Smith, and Scott Wenshau repeatedly opposed it, advocating for separate approvals for each contract.

Individual Contract Approval and Extensions

After further deliberation, the board approved 20 contracts through individual motions and elected to extend the contract of the district's human resources director to allow incoming superintendent Mike Rivard to review it.

During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding the status of the human resources director's contract, which was listed at 0.8 hours instead of full-time. This raised questions about the position's full-time status, with board member Smith expressing reservations about this unusual arrangement.

Speculation and Community Support

Speculation about the motives of Larson, Smith, and Wenshau has arisen, with community members speculating that the three may be targeting the human resources director. Over 150 people attended the meeting, with some showing support for the affected employees through signs and petitions.

Prior to the recent meeting, a special session was convened to vote on the contracts after they were rejected on June 17. However, Larson, Smith, and Wenshau did not attend. The subsequent meeting was the final opportunity for the board to approve the contracts before their expiration, leading to potential job losses for the employees.

Concerns Over Board's Role

Interim Superintendent Lee emphasized the board's oversight role, stating that its function is to supervise the superintendent and establish district policies, not to manage operations or personnel. Lee cautioned against the board's interference in personnel matters, highlighting the potential negative impact and legal repercussions for the district.

Assistant Superintendent Rivard, set to assume the role of superintendent on July 1, expressed eagerness for the community to move beyond the current challenges and focus on the future. Lee also shared his hope for the community to leave behind past conflicts and embrace a positive outlook.