Grand Forks School Board to hear grievance from high school band director

Jul. 23—GRAND FORKS — Grand Forks School Board members will hear grievance proceedings Wednesday from a high school band director alleging the district improperly reduced his contract.

Dave Christianson, recently a band teacher at Red River High School, is expected to argue administrators failed to properly reduce his contract when he moved to a position at the elementary level, and he must continue to receive the additional pay, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

Notice of the special meeting was sent out early Tuesday afternoon. It did not provide details of Christianson's grievance.

In the school district's parlance, a grievance is separate from a complaint, and deals specifically with a conflict arising from a teacher's individual contract with the school district or the union contract.

Under grievance procedures outlined in School Board policies, Christianson would have already met with his immediate supervisor and Superintendent Terry Brenner or a designee.

In response to a request for comment, district Communications and Marketing Manager Melissa Bakke referred the Herald to the notice of special meeting.

North Dakota United field consultant Amber Haskell confirmed a representative from the statewide teachers union will represent Christianson before the School Board. NDU did not provide further comment.

After hearing Christianson's grievance, the School Board will have 10 days to issue a response in writing.

If Christianson and the School Board are unable to resolve the grievance, the grievance could move to arbitration.

Board members are set to meet in executive session with the board's attorney after hearing from Christianson and ahead of issuing a potential decision, per the notice of special meeting.