Board denies Level‑3 grievance; finds leave-of-absence denial was justified under state statute

The Cannon Falls School Board voted to adopt the negotiations and personnel committee’s recommendation and deny a Level‑3 grievance filed by teacher Laura Rizek challenging the board’s prior denial of her request for an extended leave of absence.

Laura Rizek addressed the board during public input and described the purpose of long‑term leaves — “to step back from the classroom, explore other options, recharge, and reset” — and said the statute is designed to allow teachers to return. She also noted that staff on similar leaves in the district had previously been approved and that, if granted, the leave could have been listed as a long‑term sub arrangement.

The negotiations and personnel committee reviewed the contract language (Article 10, Section 13) and Minnesota Statute 122A.46 subdivision 2. The committee found that the contract’s use of “shall” requires compliance with the state statute but does not compel the board to grant every request. The committee wrote that the statute uses permissive language — “the board of any district may grant an extended leave of absence” — and that an extended leave must be “taken by mutual consent of the board and the teacher.” The committee concluded that, under the statute, denial is permissible if the board provides reasonable justification.

The committee’s formal finding said the board provided a reasonable justification: the district faces staffing challenges, including in special education and other areas, and therefore cannot afford to approve the requested multi‑year extended leave at this time. The board voted to accept the committee recommendation to deny the grievance.