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Gardner Elementary staff express concern over principal selection after social media posts; board hears letter endorsing top candidate
Summary
Gardner Elementary teachers delivered a letter to the USD 231 Board of Education endorsing a preferred principal candidate and said social media commentary may have influenced the candidate's decision not to proceed.
A group of Gardner Elementary staff members told the USD 231 Board of Education they recommended a specific candidate for Gardner Elementary principal and are concerned outside social media posts may have discouraged the candidate from advancing in the hiring process.
Natalie Honus, a first-grade teacher and Gardner resident, read a letter from the majority of the interview committee describing the candidate as “composed, genuine” and experienced in special education, therapeutic settings and building-level leadership. The letter said staff valued the candidate’s stated commitment to being visible in hallways and classrooms and his community involvement ideas. Committee members said they believed the candidate would support the building’s Title I population and their specialized programs.
Honus told the board the staff committee feared that social media posts about the candidate may have negatively affected the hiring process and said those who criticized the candidate had not reviewed his resume, credentials or spoken with him. The letter stressed that staff voices, based on daily experience with students, should be weighed in the selection process and warned that disregarding those voices puts students’ interests at stake.
Board members thanked the staff for providing the letter and asked district officials to review any allegations about the hiring process, including claims related to quorum or procedural irregularities. The superintendent said he would look into the committee’s concerns.
No formal board action was taken during the meeting on the principal hiring matter; board members said they would review the committee letter and investigate any procedural complaints brought forward by staff members.
