Addison school board hears concerns about staff, administration; update from superintendent

ADDISON — It was standing room only Monday, Dec. 18, at the Addison Community Schools Board of Education meeting, where participants raised concerns about staff and administration, as well as the direction the district is taking.

The monthly meeting had comments from residents, staff, school board members and administrators, many of whom addressed discord and accusations on personnel matters, particularly in the athletic department.

The administration and board report they are simply holding people accountable to "do their jobs," while those who have resigned or challenged district officials allege the process has been a "witch hunt" or "agenda based."

One former coach, Derek Burke, who filed a Freedom of Information Act request for documents and correspondence tied to the past several months of district activity said that request resulted in a more than $1,000 quote for copies and labor; a closed session on Monday for an appeal resolution relating to that FOIA; and a special meeting that has been called for 7 a.m. today, to further address the matter in closed session.

Athletic Director Josh Lindeman, who was named the Lenawee County football Co-Coach of the Year earlier this month for his work in the Addison athletic programs, resigned his position and has accepted a new job at Napoleon Community Schools. He was the district's football coach for nine years, as well as assistant principal and athletic director at the time of his resignation.

Lindeman spoke for 15 minutes during the board meeting's public comment time and highlighted his concerns about the new administration. He laid out a timeline of deteriorating communication and due process over an alleged verbal incident during the fall homecoming activities.

Dan Bauer, who joined Addison in October as the district's new superintendent, said he is concerned about the discord with the athletic staff and coaches. According to Bauer, it stemmed from his examining their credentials to ensure compliance.

"They shared that they wanted to know why I was looking into their legal job requirements such as being supervised by a medical doctor, having a current license and liability insurance, all legal job requirements," Bauer said. "I told them that I had checked to make sure they were in compliance, as any supervisor would do. I informed them that there were no issues, we were compliant. Then, a couple weeks later, I learned they were resigning."

Bauer said he has heard from several staff members "that I have been hired by the school board to come in and fire some staff or to push them out."

"This is not true," Bauer said. "Our board is a group of hard-working individuals who want only the best for our students. From day one, they have asked me to learn as much as I can about the district and community and make sure we are following policies and procedures. If there are issues, they want me to address them."

"I’ve met with some school staff members (who) have not been doing things they were hired to do," Bauer said before Monday's meeting. "I have also reviewed their job descriptions and contracts, and I am now holding these people accountable. It’s that simple. In this process, I have evidently gotten people out of their comfort zones."

During the meeting's public comment time, Lindeman, representing the athletic department, requested and was granted 15 minutes to speak as a department head. Individuals speaking for themselves are allowed five minutes to address the board. Details of Lindeman’s resignation were highlighted in a previous Daily Telegram article.

More: Addison assistant principal, athletics director and football coach Joshua Lindeman resigns

Alleging "numerous unethical conduct" incidents by district officials in the past two months, Lindeman announced he was resigning all positions with the district. Along with his letter of resignation, Lindeman said, there were additional letters of resignation from athletic assistants stepping down from their positions. Mark Beougher, Josh Kubiak, Hunter Dart, Luke Yackee and Frederick Bills, along with Lindeman, are stepping down, effective Jan. 5.

Board trustee Josh Perry recommended that letters of appreciation be sent out "to recognize the duty and sacrifices made to all those who are resigning."

Resident Andrea Haag said she is a concerned member of the community, watching growing dissent between members of the school.

According to Haag, "Our teachers are trying to hold it together. Talk to the teachers. Pay attention to them."

"Our teachers are wondering how long they will hold out?" Haag said to the school board. "Addison is bleeding, and no one is grabbing Band-Aids. The future of Addison depends on how you decide to move forward."

High school softball players Nevaeh Edison and Alisha Gahn voiced concerns about the softball program and hiring practices for next season's coach's lineup. Michaela Gahn, who has assisted with the team alongside outgoing coach and father, Kelly, also asked the board to consider the players' wishes on who to hire for the 2024 playing season. Justin Patterson, who co-coached with Kelly, is being recommended as the team's new coach.

According to Edison, she said she noticed "a great division between the girls."

"It was two teams, and I think we need to start over or else we won't have a future program," she said.

Gahn said she also saw a two-team hierarchy due to co-coaching differences between her dad and Patterson, and that if a change is not made in hiring practices, the senior said she will not play for Addison in the spring.

"I will play for anyone else you decide to hire, but I will not play for him and I'm sure there are other players who would join me," Gahn said.

James McNett, husband of Addison teacher Jessica McNett, said his wife works more than 10 hours a day as an educator, and dedicates time to various needs and causes for the school. McNett said his wife recently learned she and her peers have been asked to help manage the facilities.

"Suggesting that (she) and her fellow educators grab a salt bucket and throw some salt down is absurd by any standard," McNett said. "Over my dead body.

“Our taxes pay for facility managers,” McNett said, and "it would be a shame for an injury to take place because our teachers don't have time to manage the facility."

McNett said he is offended that student, parent and grandparent concerns from the Nov. 27 school board meeting were "completely disregarded and lumped into a group of coaches who don't like to be held accountable. At best, it shows a lack of honesty and a lack of transparency," referencing a previous Brooklyn Exponent article.

"You are the flagship," McNett said to the board members. "You're to bridge the gap. (You're) the leadership of the district. I got to tell you; you've got a lot of work to do on bridging that gap."

McNett then shifted his statement from the board to the superintendent.

"This podium is full of people who are counting on you, sir," McNett told Bauer. "People are pouring their hearts out."

McNett thanked Josh Perry "for being a voice of reason" on the board of education.

"Actions speak louder than words. I'm just asking that you all act accordingly," McNett said.

Brad Brown, who has several employment and advisory roles in the district, said he found it suspect that Lindeman was investigated within days of Bauer starting as superintendent.

Brown told the board he is discouraged by what is going on and requested the school board realign its focus.

"You have one employee, the superintendent; and your job is to evaluate his performance, not manipulate it," Brown said. "Don't insult anyone's intelligence in this room by pretending that that's not what you're doing.

"How else would Mr. Lindeman be targeted so quickly upon (Bauer's) arrival to the district?" Brown alleged.

The board acknowledged the statements made from the podium. Per the policy of Addison, and many other districts, the meeting is held “for the purpose of conducting the school district's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting.” Board members typically do not engage in dialog with the public during the meeting but will take requests under advisement and for discussion and/or action at future meetings.

Bauer gave a report on his first 90 days as district administrator and said coming to Addison was like jumping into a fast-moving river.

More: Addison school board selects Dan Bauer as next superintendent

Bauer said he is continuing to learn about the Addison community, has joined organizations and met with village officials. At the same time, Bauer said he is working to address what he called "misinformation and gossip" in the school district.

"Everyone wants the best for our students," Bauer said. "Parents want the best for their children."

At the same time, he said, "our community is very concerned about our students' mental health" and the current situation is making it hard for many.

"There are people also spreading some very negative rumors in this school district," Bauer said. "It is amazing that just a few individuals can upset an entire school and community with misinformation ... I'm very disappointed in those staff members who are responsible.

"It is extremely reckless, irresponsible and completely unprofessional to include children, our students, in this gossip and misinformation," Bauer said. "Most of this happened after the last board meeting. Do these people not care about our children's mental health?" — a comment met with jeers from the audience and prompted several people, including staff, to walk out of the meeting.

Bauer said he offered to meet with staff multiple times before and after school to address concerns, and after Christmas break is over, he said he will help identify district goals and begin work on them.

"We will continue to work hard to make the school a better place," Bauer said.

Bauer refuted assertions the school district is "imploding."

"Hopefully, people in this community will come to their senses and see that things are not falling apart and there is not mass exodus from the school," Bauer said.

More: Addison school board holds MASB-guided workshop to develop board norms, responsibilities

Enrollment for Kindergarten through 12th grade at Addison is 707 as of the fall 2023 count, down from 712 last fall. Addison’s slight downward trend is consistent with other districts throughout the county, according to information provided by the Lenawee Intermediate School District.

"We have nearly as many new hires as we've had resignations," Bauer said.

Addison has had six new hires in the past month, including teachers, coaches and an instructional consultant. In November, golf coach Burke, assistant football coach Tom Schneider, and athletic trainers Kaylie Simpson and Marjie Keenoy submitted their resignations. Since then, Lindeman, as well as office administrative assistant Stacey Perry, have stepped down.

As of press time, there were five open job listings at Addison Community Schools, with the athletic director position being posted Wednesday, Dec. 20. Similarly, neighboring districts Onsted Community Schools and Columbia School District each had five open district positions.

Retired Adrian Public Schools superintendent Bob Behnke was approved in a 5-2 vote as the district’s new instructional consultant. The two dissenting votes centered on whether the district budget would allow for such a position, and not on Behnke’s credentials.

Behnke said Monday night he looks forward to being part of improvements made in the district.

“During my brief time in Addison I have really enjoyed getting to know staff and students,” Behnke said. “I worked with a group of students at the middle school lunch auction and enjoyed the strategy and helped share a few techniques with a group of kids. The long-standing community support is refreshing to see in a program like this where students and staff are helping students.

“I look forward to digging deeper in the new year so I can help make an impact and improve the culture and climate as well as the instructional programming for our students while supporting teachers and staff,” he said.

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Current staff members approached on Monday declined to be interviewed, citing fear of retaliation. On Tuesday, one staff member speaking on condition of anonymity said school employees "will continue to fight this year."

If the atmosphere does not improve, the employee said, "there are teachers and staff looking at other possibilities."

"We are not asking for a lot," the staff member said. "Just to be heard and valued; something we have not felt since the beginning of October."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Addison school board hears concerns, update from superintendent