(KNSI) – The Becker Public School District eliminated a controversial communications policy less than a week after the teachers’ union filed a lawsuit opposing it.
According to reports, the board met in a closed session on Tuesday to talk about the issue with its legal team. After reopening the meeting, the board voted unanimously to rescind the policy.
The lawsuit alleged the plan would prohibit staff from saying anything negative about the district to anyone who is not employed by the district.
According to Education Minnesota union president Denise Specht, the plan essentially amounts to a gag order and violates free speech.
The union says the plan is so broad that it would prevent mandated reporters from informing law enforcement or other agencies about child abuse or neglect, allow the student to be subject to “uninterrupted abuse,” and “force teachers to choose between their employment and their statutory obligation.” They say it also would prevent a district employee who wanted to voice concerns at a school board meeting about budget cuts from saying anything if a parent or media member was in the room.
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