Allison Knoll, a Lakeland High School teacher of 18 years, submitted a letter of resignation during public comment at the March meeting of the Lakeland School District Board of Trustees, saying she could no longer work in a "toxic environment of distrust" between teachers and the board.

Knoll told the trustees she had been a two‑time Lakeland High School teacher of the year and had organized student council fundraisers that raised "over a hundred and $20,000" for the community. She said administrative restrictions and committees that review classroom materials and activities have hamstrung teachers, and that the board has “no idea how our classrooms work.”

"We can't hold a fundraiser for our programs or the community without going to a committee for approval," Knoll said. She described delays in approving plays and other curricular items, and said review processes could take "up to a full 2 months," leaving students in limbo.

Knoll said the board’s handling of public communications around a recent levy vote deepened divisions and diminished trust. "This school board doesn't trust the teachers that they hired to do their jobs," she said. "You are tying your hands so that we're unable to do what's best for these kids."

The resignation came during the public‑input portion of the meeting; board members acknowledged receipt of Knoll’s resignation and confirmed a copy would be placed in the clerk’s report. Trustees took no immediate personnel action at the meeting.

Board meeting materials and later discussion at the session addressed broader budget and staffing questions, including possible district staffing adjustments tied to levy outcomes. Several trustees and administrators later discussed transparency of budget cuts and an intent to provide clearer explanations about graduation cohorts, levy allocations and staffing implications to the public.

Knoll’s remarks were among several public‑input items at the meeting that touched on curriculum and district priorities; the board heard follow‑up reports on finance, facilities and curriculum items later in the agenda.

Trustees did not vote or take final action related to Knoll’s resignation during the meeting; the clerk accepted the submitted resignation for the official record.