Carlton district fires Indian education coordinator

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Carlton school board ratified a letter from superintendent John Engstrom the ended with the firing of American Indian Education coordinator Kevin Kot, who had been with the district for close to three years. Ratification of the document was a part of the consent agenda, a portion of the meeting reserved for actions with no debate. Of the five active board members, four voted. Eryn Szymczak was absent.

When asked for a copy of the letter the board endorsed, board chair Julianne Emerson said it was not available.

Kot spoke to the Pine Knot about his dismissal Wednesday afternoon. He said superintendent John Engstrom fired him during the last week of school, after someone filed a complaint against him. The district investigated the complaint, which Kot said wasn’t cited as the reason behind his departure and which he feels wasn’t valid. The Pine Knot has requested but been unable to get a copy of the complaint or any documents related to Kot’s dismissal from the school district.

“They never actually gave a reason, just that John [Engstrom] met with the chair and vice chair and they decided to let me go,” Kot said.

As an at-will employee, Kot said he has no way to fight the dismissal.

He said he feels his dismissal was “fallout” over an alleged threat of violence against a Native American student earlier this year, an issue which brought 40 people and more media attention than usual to the April school board meeting.

“But I’m still on the [Indian Ed] parent committees, so I’ll still be there,” he said.

Other district departures were noted as well during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Business manager Norm Nelis has left Carlton to take a position with Hermantown schools. Engstrom was not present at the meeting, but in his written report to the board, he declared, “Norm … was a fine business manager and a good friend. I appreciate all the things he has done for Carlton.” Board member Tim Hagenah’s resignation was accepted, and several voices lauded his years of service. Engstrom noted that Hagenah has served on the board every day of the 21st century.

“Let that sink in,” he said, “Well over 500 meetings. Thousands of hours — all in service to the school district.”

In an earlier interview, Hagenah reflected on his 23 years. “I’m 88-percent pleased to have been on the board,” he said. Disappointments? “Some,” he declared. “Two failed bond referendums.” He also noted the tuition agreement with Cloquet that didn’t get board approval.

Hagenah said successful board members must keep one objective in mind: “Teachers and administrators come and go but,” he said — with emphasis — “kids need a good education.”

He had the privilege of “working with really good administrators,” he recalled, “[including] John Engstrom, Gwen Carman and Peter Haapala.”

Big relief now that it’s over? “Not really,” he said. “I’m just done.”

The board approved scheduling a special election in November to complete Hagenah’s term.

No mention was made of an appointment in the interim, which is at the board’s discretion. For now, there will be five members.

The new fiscal year 2024 budget was approved. Total expenditures are expected to be about $6.9 million with a roughly $408,000 deficit. In the general fund Carlton plans to spend a little over $5 million dollars with a deficit of about $277,000, all based on a projected enrollment of 295 students district wide.

A seven-year renewal of the current operating levy was initiated. Formal board approval comes after a public hearing. Current plans are to hold the hearing and board action in July. Discussion centered around the need for transparency and allowing all viewpoints on the levy to be heard.

“We want people to know about it. We think it’s very important,” Emerson said. Consensus seemed to form around holding the public hearing at the usual board meeting time and place rather than call a special meeting outside of the normal schedule.

Incoming superintendent Donita Stepan noted that the legislative change allowing school boards to approve a levy renewal (without a citizen vote) was a big help, noting that voters usually approve a levy renewal. Moving to board approval saves the cost of an election. Stepan also observed that school districts are unique among government bodies in that requests for additional funding, especially for building projects, almost always have to go to the voters.

Pine Knot News editor Jana Peterson contributed to this story.