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Board votes to release probationary teachers at end of 2025–26 school year
Summary
The South Washington County Schools board approved a resolution to terminate probationary teaching contracts at the end of 2025–26, citing enrollment, scheduling and licensure reasons; a roll-call vote recorded six yes votes with one absence.
The South Washington County Schools Board of Education voted Thursday to terminate the contracts of probationary teachers at the end of the 2025–26 school year, a personnel resolution presented by the district’s executive director of human resources.
“During the 2025–2026 school year, as in past years, we have many exceptional teachers working for the school district. It is necessary to pass a resolution to terminate the teaching contracts of probationary teachers,” Abby Baker said as she presented the non‑renewal resolution. She listed reasons for release that include student-driven scheduling, enrollment changes, curriculum adjustments, union-transfer language, licensure issues and performance concerns.
Board member Sharon moved the resolution, Simi seconded, and the matter was decided by roll-call vote. The clerk recorded the following responses: Elizabeth Bachmann Eckberg — yes; Louise Heinz — yes; Brian Clark — absent; Melinda Dolls — yes; Simi Patnaik — yes; Sharon Van Leer — yes; Chair Katie Schwartz — yes. The roll call shows six votes in favor and one absence; no votes against or abstentions were recorded in the transcript.
Abby Baker said nonrenewal letters for the probationary teachers who must be released will be provided. The resolution terminates those teaching contracts at the end of this school year and makes the non-renewals effective for the 2026–27 school year.
The board did not discuss individual teacher names, headcount, or specific assignments in the public record during the motion. The administrative presentation said the releases result from a mix of operational and personnel reasons rather than a single uniform cause.
