Mandy
In Harper County, educators from the Chaparral School District have formally asked for the resignation of two key district leaders. The issue was brought forward during Monday night’s USD 361 Board of Education meeting.
Speaking on behalf of local teachers, Pam Fallis from the Harper County Teachers’ Association voiced strong concerns about district leadership.
She publicly called on Superintendent Chris Whetzel and Board of Education member Lindsay Zimmerman to step down from their roles.
Allegations of Mistrust and Low Morale
According to Fallis, teachers feel increasingly undervalued by district decision-makers. She explained that when educators are treated as replaceable rather than as committed professionals, it harms staff morale and can negatively affect students’ learning experiences.
Fallis specifically stated that teachers no longer have confidence in Lindsay Zimmerman’s role on the district’s negotiating team, citing ongoing concerns about leadership transparency and decision-making.
Staffing Decisions Questioned
Teachers and community members pointed to several staffing decisions made by district leaders that they believe have fueled mistrust.
Some of these decisions reportedly occurred during executive sessions or private discussions, leaving teachers unclear about how and why choices were made.
Darla Brown, a grandparent and former teacher in the district, shared her frustration during the meeting.
She questioned the lack of openness surrounding executive sessions and argued that discussions involving teachers’ jobs should be held publicly so the community can understand what is happening.
Multiple Executive Sessions, Minimal Action
During the same meeting, the school board entered executive session five separate times. Despite the extended closed-door discussions, the board did not take any major public action related to the concerns raised by teachers.
The only official decision made that night was the approval of hiring an assistant softball coach, leaving the larger leadership issues unresolved.
The situation in the Chaparral School District highlights growing tension between educators and district leadership. Teachers are asking for greater transparency, respect, and accountability, warning that ongoing mistrust could affect both staff morale and student outcomes.
While concerns were clearly presented during the board meeting, no immediate action was taken, leaving many educators and community members waiting to see how district leaders will respond moving forward.