(Pocahontas)– More than a dozen members of the public spoke at Monday night’s Pocahontas Area School Board meeting regarding a petition that challenges the ongoing employment of district superintendent Joe Kramer. The board received the petition last month, which cites concerns over the amount of staff turnover, declining enrollment, alleged retaliation, spending issues, and a possible hostile working environment. Prior to the public comments, Pocahontas Area School Board President Paul Berte said on the advice of the district’s attorney, no action would be taken regarding the petition at the meeting.
Among those speaking was Irene Carlson, a Pocahontas Area school board member for six years under a previous superintendent…
Others voiced their displeasure about what they perceive as a lack of communication with several of the board members. There were some that spoke in defense of Kramer, including former school board member Dan Duitscher…
Another speaker said “either the school board fixes the mess the district is in, or voters will fix it in November of 2023.”
The petition was signed by over 230 Pocahontas Area residents.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KAYL in Storm Lake)
