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Brainerd School Board votes to terminate performing‑arts facility manager after police incident
Summary
The board voted to terminate Tim Catlett, a performing‑arts facility manager, after a review concluded he confronted and escorted Brainerd police officers from a Dec. 17, 2024 event; the board approved the superintendent's recommendation by roll call.
The Brainerd School Board voted on Feb. 10, 2025, to terminate the employment of Tim Catlett, a full‑time performing‑arts facility manager at the Geechee Zibi Center for the Arts (GZ), following an investigation into an incident on Dec. 17, 2024, in which the Brainerd Police Department reported officers were confronted and escorted from the building.
Why it matters: The district concluded Mr. Catlett's actions were inconsistent with district policies and with the district's objective to maintain a positive partnership with the Brainerd Police Department. The board accepted the reviewers' recommendation for immediate termination.
Investigation summary and recommendation
Superintendent Peter Grant presented the investigation summary prepared by designated reviewers. The Brainerd Police Department chief initially reported that on Dec. 17 officers conducted a walkthrough at the GZ for a Lori Lyne concert and that Mr. Catlett confronted a police officer, escorted that officer to the exit and later took the same action with a police sergeant. The investigation included two surveillance videos, interviews with investigators, a later interview with an officer who was unavailable initially, and a post‑investigation interview with Mr. Catlett.
Reviewers found Mr. Catlett confronted and removed two Brainerd police staff from the premises on Dec. 17, 2024, and determined his conduct was not in compliance with Brainerd Public Schools policy. The reviewers concluded Catlett's conduct "constitute[s] just cause for disciplinary action" and recommended immediate termination of employment. The superintendent moved to adopt that recommendation.
Board action and vote
A motion to approve the district's recommendation to terminate Mr. Catlett's employment was made and seconded. The board took a roll‑call vote; the recorded affirmative votes included Stephanie Ederman, Randy Heidman, Sarah Spear, John Ward and Michelle Brecken. The motion carried and the superintendent's recommendation to terminate was approved.
Process note: Mr. Catlett had asked that the board discussion be open to the public rather than held in closed session under Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subd. 2(b); the district recorded his request and proceeded in open session. The board's action followed the district's investigation and the recommendation from the appointed reviewers.
Ending
The termination was effective immediately as recorded in the meeting; the district did not announce additional personnel sanctions or subsequent administrative steps during the open session.
