SCHOOL BOARD ACCEPTS SAYLER RESIGNATION

Despite a request from two district constituents to look further into the reasoning behind the resignation of Chris Sayler as head wrestling coach and teacher, the Freeman Public School Board voted unanimously Monday night to accept his resignation, effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

The action came as part of the consent agenda that also included the following:

• The contract of Mitzi Wynia for the position of Jr.-Sr. High School Principal for the 2024-2025 school year;
• The conditions of employment of Shannon Gohl for the position of custodian;
• The conditions of employment of Michael Freeman for the position of co-head track coach (boys);
• The conditions of employment of Amy Sorensen for the position of co-head track coach (girls);
• The conditions of employment for Nancy Loofbourrow for the position of assistant softball coach.

More on Sayler resignation

The board’s action came after an executive session of 40 minutes and followed comments from Lance Pankratz and Kyle Gossen offered during the public input portion of the meeting.

Pankratz and Gossen, who both have freshmen boys who are part of the Marion-Freeman wrestling program, were critical of the administration and culture at Freeman Public and suggested that played a part in Sayler’s resignation.

Sayler announced his decision to the team at practice on Monday, Feb. 12.

“It’s not something I want to do,” he told the team, “but I can’t discuss anything about that.”

“I urge you as a community member to explore the reasoning behind Chris Sayler’s resignation,” Gossen told the board at Wednesday’s meeting. “It just blows my mind that he could be put under so much pressure to resign from a career he has loved, both teaching and coaching in the community he grew up in and moved back here to serve.”

“As of right now we’re losing the one guy who is holding our wrestling program together,” Pankratz said. “He has put roots down in this town. He planned on retiring here as the wrestling coach and he feels like he is being forced out. I’m asking the board to do something about this situation.”

Pankratz and Gossen both shared other concerns.

“I have personally spoke to several staff who do not want to be named for fear of their job,” Pankratz said. “They feel there is a toxic work environment going on in this school district. We don’t need good people quitting because of certain things going on.

“I’ve had several students come to me, as well, and said that our superintendent — they don’t feel there is a personal one-on-one there; that he doesn’t even know some of their names,” Pankratz continued. “There are quite a few students that do not like this environment, and it comes down to one person.”

“We all know there is an issue and it needs to be addressed before we are looking at replacing more high quality faculty in our district,” Gossen said. “The community has been quietly vocal about issues involving administration and I firmly believe that you as the board need to poll the faculty of the Freeman School District and really listen to what the faculty has to say.”

Gossen finished with two requests of the board.

“I’m begging you to table the resignation of Chris Sayler,” he said, “and poll the faculty at your own accord — not at the administration’s guidance — and find the root cause for so much fear and unhappiness in our school.”

The school board went into executive session immediately following the public comments.

When it reconvened in open session there was no discussion pertaining to what was shared by Pankratz and Gossen — only approval of the consent agenda that included Sayler’s resignation.

Comments from school officials

While she couldn’t comment on Sayler’s resignation because it is a personnel issue, on Thursday Freeman School Board President Emily Andersen spoke with The Courier about the comments shared the night before.

“Climate and culture are really important to the success of our district,” she said. “The board takes that seriously; we’re all dedicated to the school district and we all have the same goal — to move the district forward in a positive manner.”

Andersen noted that the board agreed last fall to administer a climate and culture survey of all staff, which the company the school district is using recommended be done toward the end of the year “to get a more complete picture.”

“Really what we want is usable data that we can take action with,” she said.

Andersen also said that Superintendent Jake Tietje and Junior-Senior High School Principal Katie Junke will be administering a separate survey in the interest of self-improvement.

“They’re looking to grow professionally and want candid feedback from the staff so they can improve the district as a whole,” she said. “That will provide them with usable feedback from staff and some things that they might not be aware of.”

As for the comments made about staff who are concerned about the work environment and job security, Andersen said she is always just a phone call away.

“I answer my phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” she said. “I’m always available to chat about concerns people have and invite all staff to provide me with candid feedback. That’s why we’re here.”

In addition to Andersen, The Courier reached out to Tietje — who is in his third year as superintendent at Freeman Public — seeking a comment in response to what was said at Wednesday’s meeting.

“We value feedback and feel that it is needed for continuous improvement and ongoing professional development,” he responded in an email. “There are many avenues for sharing district concerns including an open-door policy to the superintendent’s office.

“Last summer the school board approved the adoption of the ED School Climate Survey and recently the board approved the administration of staff feedback forms,” Tietje continued. “We also encourage any feedback from students, parents or the community.”

Special meeting Monday

The Freeman Public School Board is scheduled to meet in special session Monday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. with one agenda item — an executive session per SDCL 1-25-2 (1) Discussing the qualifications, competence, performance, character or fitness of anypublic officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee.