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Board places six teachers on unrequested leave of absence after 14-day hearing window passes
Summary
Two separate resolutions placing teachers on unrequested leave of absence under Minnesota law were adopted after no employees requested hearings within the statutory 14-day window.
The Winona Area Public School District board voted March 20 to place six teachers on unrequested leave of absence (ULA) after no hearing requests were filed during the 14-day window specified in the district’s notifications.
Two resolutions were considered as paired items: the first listed five teachers and the second added one teacher who was corrected from an earlier nonrenewal list. The board read the resolution language on the record and adopted both measures by roll call.
What the board adopted: Each resolution invoked Minnesota Statutes and the district’s master agreement as grounds for ULA placement, citing "discontinuance of position and lack of pupils and financial limitations" as the statutory reasons. The resolutions direct administration to send notices to affected teachers and specify that placement is without pay or fringe benefits effective at the end of the 2024–25 school year (June 6, 2025).
Names listed on the resolutions (as read at the meeting): - Resolution 1: Gretchen Larson; Melanie Anderson; Gina Johnson; Annie Bade; Abigail Mooney. - Resolution 2: Ladon Kovala (listed on the proposed placement item).
Why it matters: Placement on an unrequested leave of absence removes an employee from active assignment because of programmatic/financial reasons rather than discipline; under the statute the affected teachers had a right to request an administrative hearing within the specified period, and no requests were received.
Board action: The motion to adopt the first resolution was seconded and passed by roll call; the second resolution was similarly moved, seconded, and approved by roll call.
Authorities cited: board readings referenced Minnesota Statutes 122A.40, subd. 10 and Article 13 (the master agreement) for grounds and notification language. The board included required notice language in the resolutions and instructed staff to send the written notice of placement.
Sources: Board readings and roll-call votes during the March 20 meeting.
