Action came on a motion by Drew Schmidt, seconded by Ken Briese to hold an election from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in combined polling places including the Gibbon Municipal Building, Fairfax Community Center and Winthrop Fire Dept.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Horton said the referendum election, if passed would actually result in a tax decrease. The school district proposes to revoke the school district’s existing referendum revenue authorization of $1,406.30 per pupil and replace it with a $992.40 per pupil authorization, reducing the existing authorization by $413.90 per pupil, subject to an annual inflation rate increase.

If approved, the referendum would decrease annual taxes on a home valued at $200,000 by $111 a year. Referendum market value excludes land and seasonal recreational property. Agricultural homestead property is based on the value of the house, garage and one acre, according to the board packet.

The board approved resolutions setting an Aug. 1-15 filing period for two interim school board members and two school board members. Jason Haas of Gibbon and Amy Acree of Fairfax recently resigned from the school board.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Jason Haas of Gibbon, who recently resigned from the GFW School Board, talks during a public comment period at the school board meeting Monday.

Four people spoke at a public comment period at the board meeting — Acree, Haas, former school board member Casey Prochniak of Gibbon and Jan Schwarzrock of Gibbon.

“For the last month, the board has been attempting to resolve issues surrounding concerns, complaints and allegations of board member misconduct,” said Acree. “These issues were not handled correctly, so board member Haas and I resigned. Since then, I have had feedback from community members and staff that has been both supportive and disturbing.”

“It is disgraceful that community members and staff are afraid to speak to what if left of the board because they are fearful of backlash and retaliation,” added Acree. “Being a board member is not about power, control, or who is who’s boss. It’s about being responsible and accountable for the safety and education of the kids in our district and to support the people that work with them and for them every day.”

“I’ve watched GFW come so far in the last four years because of the hard work, long hours and dedication of the staff and administration along with support of most of the community,” Acree said. “Imagine what the district could do if it also had a board that cared as much as they do.”

“I think this deserves an investigation on the allegations made,” said Prochniak. “You owe the staff, students and community an official investigation of the allegations. If they aren’t true, they aren’t true. It’s your job to do that. If these allegations would’ve happened to a school student or staff member, they would be investigated. If these allegations came across Dr. Horton’s desk, they would be investigated. I can guarantee that.”

“I ask the community to demand an investigation. I ask the school board to do better or don’t do it at all,” Prochniak said.

Jason Haas said he enjoyed serving on the school board for many years but that now things are not being run properly.

“There is a process you follow. That’s the way we want to see our school run. There is not a witch hunt in any of this,” he said.

“Where are the ethics, the professionalism, the policies that are supposed to be taken by trusted adults on this school board?” said Schwarzrock. “Who is not doing their homework, following policy, working together as a team and holding a requested meeting. I’ve been embarrassed to be a GFW community member and many others have stated this. We should have a well-trusted school board. I hope we can have one in the future.”

Supt. Horton thanked the staff for all that it is doing this summer. He said four new international teachers will come to the school district this fall including three from the Philippines who will teach science and math.

Horton said some much bigger school districts asked him how the district found

Approved donations included $500 from Guidecraft, Inc. for T-Bird Community Arts, $500 from Tammy Rose-3M Volunteer Match for the after-prom committee, $420 from Pat Hentges and Rich Busse for 4th-6th grade football program jerseys and $50 for T-Bird Community Arts from First National Bank.