Teacher released from contract with NR-S

Just one week into the 2023-24 school year, the New Rockford-Sheyenne School Board was asked to release another teacher from her contract.

On Thursday, Aug. 21, the NR-S School Board met for a special meeting via Zoom at 7 a.m., and unanimously voted to release Krystal Caldwell from her contract without liquidated damages.

Caldwell provided the reason for her departure in her letter of resignation.

“I would like to thank you for the opportunity to join your school family,” she wrote. “However, when I applied for the position at New Rockford Public School, it was for a secondary science teacher.

“In the interview the courses discussed that I would be teaching were along the high school life science side,” she added. “The modified course list I have received for this year primarily has me teaching middle school age students, this does not meet the expectations we agreed upon when I signed my contract with New Rockford School.

“It is for this reason I regret to inform you that I am resigning from my position with NRPS for the upcoming school year 23-24. I am sorry for the short notice; I hope you find a science teacher who can accommodate your students and schools’ educational needs. Thank you for your time.”

Back in May, Caldwell was the first of two teachers hired to teach science at NR-S, and she’s now the second of those teachers to resign and be released from their contract.

Less than a month before the school year began, Shane Wetzel – another science teacher hired this summer – was also released from his contract without liquidated damages.

Shortly after Wetzel’s resignation in late July, the district hired Shannon Welk to teach science at NR-S, but now more than a week into the school year, it’s unclear how soon the district can fill the position Caldwell leaves behind.

In an email response to the Transcript, NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters said, “Teaching contracts offered by the district are not content specific; they are based on our employee’s area of licensure, however, we try to provide teaching opportunities in areas of interest for each staff member. However, our students’ needs and interests are a priority when scheduling. We will be seeking a long term replacement for this position.”

Caldwell’s resignation and the school board’s decision to release her from contract come as some have criticized the district for numerous teacher resignations since this spring.

The resignations of Caldwell and Wetzel bring the total number of resignations from the district to 11 since March of this year.

Like they did when considering Wetzel’s release from contract, board members have again expressed frustration about the situation.

School Board President Todd Allmaras said, “The whole situation is unfortunate, just how it turned out. And we obviously want the best for our students and we wish the best for Ms. Caldwell as well.”

Board member Patti Larson told the Transcript how she believes the situation got to this point.

“It is very disheartening,” she said. “I kind of feel like it was poor communications and negotiations that could have made a difference and kept this teacher. … It’s very unfortunate that once she signed the contract with us, that we weren’t able to come together on any issues that she had."