Parents and community members urge Dexter school board to review handling of teacher discipline

Dozens of parents, students and community members asked the Dexter Community School District Board of Education on Monday to reconsider recent disciplinary steps involving teacher Catherine Kuzma and to provide clearer explanations of district procedures.

Speakers told the board Kuzma was removed from a classroom in view of students and said the handling of that removal has harmed pupil wellbeing and community trust. "There are always two sides of every story," said Chrissy Taylor, a Dexter resident and former school board member, who urged trustees to seek both perspectives before acting.

The public comment period, held at the start of the special meeting, drew multiple people who said Kuzma has been a longtime mentor and positive presence in Dexter schools. Jenna Cooper, a parent and licensed clinical social worker, said the removal "was handled unfairly" and described the effect on students: "To have a well respected, ethical person that kids look up to removed in front of them is unacceptable," she said. Several other speakers described written notes Kuzma sent to students and extracurricular involvement they said showed consistent encouragement and care.

Speakers asked whether district administrators offered Kuzma prior notice, warnings or an opportunity to respond before removing her from the classroom. Holly Cabana, a former Dexter High School teacher, asked, "Was administration meet with Mrs. Kuzma to get her side of the story or to discuss any possible policy that she could have, I'm sure, unintentionally violated or offer her the opportunity to make changes before being yanked out of her class in front of her students?" Speakers also reported that students experienced anxiety and rumors circulated after the classroom removal.

Other commenters described Kuzma's community involvement, including leading camps and activities, and said suspending those roles has affected her livelihood and student supports. Several asked the board to ensure due process and to review whether district procedures and the employee handbook were followed.

The board made two public, procedural actions before moving to closed session. A board member moved to amend the agenda to add an additional closed session to discuss legal advice; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board then approved a consent item listed as "salary schedules for nonunion" (text in the meeting record: "salary schedules for nonunion place") by voice vote.

Later the board moved into closed session for discussion of negotiations and legal matters. During the roll call for the closed session, several attendees were recorded as responding "Aye," including a speaker identified as "Mister Stoler," a speaker recorded as "Mister Reiser," and “Missus Verrilli.” The meeting record indicates the board then proceeded into the closed session; no formal disciplinary outcomes were announced in open session.

The special meeting had a shortened agenda and opened with a public participation period limited to five minutes per speaker. Speakers frequently requested that the board communicate more information to students and parents about personnel decisions that affect classrooms.

The board did not provide additional details about the personnel matter during the public meeting. The district and board did not announce any change in Kuzma's employment status during open session; board members moved to discuss related matters in closed session as permitted by law.

Members of the public who spoke repeatedly called for clearer procedures and adherence to due process when staff discipline is being considered, and said sudden removals of staff from classrooms can be disruptive for students. Several commenters said they had submitted supporting emails and letters to the district.

No statutes, policies or disciplinary documents were cited on the public record during the comments. The meeting record shows the board will discuss negotiations and legal advice in closed session; the transcript does not include the closed-session discussion or any later decisions.