Letter to the Editor: Retired Sevastopol Teacher Speaks Out

I had the privilege to teach elementary art at Sevastopol School for 35 years. Students and families have known me as Mrs. A. I was also part of the committee that created the Artist in Education program for Sevastopol. Over the years, we developed many special events, programs and opportunities for our students. I loved my job and the idea of retiring was difficult for me. However that all changed with the increasingly negative environment at the elementary school. The level of unprofessionalism, favoritism, and inappropriateness that was going on between Mrs. Donaldson and some staff members was extremely disheartening. Three years ago we were excited about the promising future with our new principal but were soon disillusioned and disappointed with the lack of direction and follow-through. Co-workers and veteran teachers Kathy Marshall and Julie Heroux also retired last year for many of the same reasons. Kathy had been the head DI coordinator and fourth grade teacher for 16 years. Julie taught 4K and kindergarten for 13 years.

I know many teachers and staff members do not agree with accusations made against school board members involved in the recent recall attempts. It is interesting to me that many of the middle and high school staff members have not been involved with the elementary group voicing all these criticisms. They don’t seem to have the same issues or concerns. They have, however, worked just as closely with these board members. Given the outrageous behavior, manipulation of the facts and public attacks made by this recall group many people who support the board are afraid to speak out.

Over the past 10 years, Sevastopol has had an outstanding school board. The board has been nothing but supportive and willing to work with the staff. Items such as Act 10, purchasing a costly new reading program, paying faculty for classes toward advanced reading licensure, various leave requests, and supporting the school’s DI teams global participation are just naming a few.

Bill Behme and Susan Todey are an important part of this board. Between the two of them they have 17 years of school board experience. Their knowledge of the complexity of school budgets, state and federal education laws and guidelines and employment laws cannot be easily duplicated. They have a proven history of fairness, knowledge, and have demonstrated repeatedly that the needs of the students always come first. Their years of leadership have helped the district in obtaining the level of success it has enjoyed in recent years, obtaining the highest ACT scores in the county and receiving the Blue Ribbon honors shared by our middle and high school. They are the school board members who can bring civility, character and integrity back to Sevastopol.

Their expertise is vital to the future of Sevastopol. Please join me in supporting them in this recall election!

Vote for Bill Behme and Susan Todey for the school board Aug. 23.

Chris Aufdermauer

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.