Board ends probationary employment of Keri Pratt after executive session; union alleges denial of due process

The Barker Central School District Board of Education voted unanimously on May 12 to terminate the probationary employment of Keri Pratt and all positions she holds with the district, effective June 30, 2025. The motion was made by Mrs. Gow and seconded by Mrs. Gancasz and carried 7–0 following an executive session on personnel matters.

Union leaders and several teachers used the public comment period to say the district failed to follow statutory procedures before withholding tenure. Loriann Martell, who introduced herself as BTU President, cited New York Education Law §3012 and §3031 and said the union rejects the reasons given in the district’s letter denying tenure: "The BTU absolutely refute any and all of the items noted for reasons of denial of tenure," she said, and added that Pratt never received counseling, an improvement plan, or a formal 3020‑a hearing as outlined in the statutes.

Other teachers described Pratt as a committed educator who had positive year‑end evaluations and strong mentoring support. Melissa Philips, Vice President of the BTU and mentor coordinator, said the mentor program did not raise concerns about Pratt and that the union was not notified of problems that would have triggered an improvement plan.

The Board’s public record for the evening shows the termination motion and the unanimous vote; the meeting minutes do not record a public, substantive response from the Board detailing the specific reasons for the personnel action. The termination was included on the personnel agenda after a closed session; no further procedural steps or appeals were recorded in the public minutes.