Board approves non-renewal and unrequested leaves for multiple teachers; moves to closed session on labor talks

The Albert Lea Public School District board on March 16 approved personnel actions related to declining enrollment and then voted to meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations.

A resolution notifying probationary teachers of non-renewal of their teaching contracts (effective June 30, 2026) was presented and approved. Ashley Matson introduced the resolution and said it affects probationary staff categorized as tier 2, tier 3 and tier 4 with probationary status. The board approved that resolution by voice vote.

A separate resolution placed several teachers with continuing-contract status on unrequested leave of absence (effective June 30, 2026); the presenter stated that five elementary education teachers would receive the ULA notification and that recall from leave would happen in inverse order if vacancies occur. The board approved the placement by voice vote. Matson clarified procedural points about filing for recall and the inverse-order recall process.

Following those votes, the board approved a motion to move into a closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statute section 13D.03 to discuss labor negotiations; the motion carried by voice vote.

The meeting transcript records voice votes and multiple "I" responses but does not include a roll-call tally of yes/no votes for these agenda items. No individual names of teachers affected were read into the public record during the motion segments included in the transcript excerpt.

Next steps: affected employees were to receive formal notices, and the board moved to closed session for labor-negotiation discussions as permitted by state statute.