North Lake SD 14 board declines to uphold superintendentdismissal recommendation for probationary teacher Marlene Jansen

The North Lake School Board on June 9 considered the superintendentrecommendation to dismiss probationary agriculture teacher Marlene Jansen but ultimately voted not to uphold that recommendation, keeping Jansen employed for the 2025-26 school year.

Superintendent Bierman presented the district's case, saying the district had posted and approved a full-time agricultural teaching position and that Jansen had served temporarily at 0.5 FTE. "I recommend that the school board uphold my decision to dismiss Miss Jansen," the superintendent said, explaining the temporary role was created only to sustain programming until a full-time hire was secured.

Jansen told the board she signed an intent-to-renew form and believed that document confirmed her position. "When I sign my name to something, it means something," she said, arguing she received no conditional notice and no formal evaluations required by board policy. She said a verbal dismissal without prior written notice left her unable to seek alternate employment and raised concerns about compliance with state law and district policy.

Board members questioned both sides through a lengthy deliberation that focused on process: whether the March 15 intent-to-renew was conditional, whether required observations and formal evaluations were completed, and whether the district provided the written notice the board's policies and the statutes referenced in the record require. Several trustees said administration's communication and paperwork fell short even if the district's decision to hire a full-time ag teacher was understandable.

A majority of trustees cited legal and procedural uncertainty when debating the motion. A motion to uphold the superintendent's dismissal recommendation, amended to make the effective date June 13, 2025, failed on the board vote. The clerk recorded votes as Preston no, Mark no, Scott no and Dwight yes; the motion did not carry. The board's recorded action means Jansen will be employed for the coming school year.

The hearing record includes citations to Oregon dismissal law and board policies raised during testimony; the board nonetheless concluded it would not support the superintendent's recommended dismissal at this meeting. The hearing adjourned and the board returned to regular business.

What happens next: The record shows no formal change to Jansen's employment status; the board minutes state she is hired for next year. The board also signaled it wants clearer written processes and timelier communication when dealing with probationary staff and renewals.