Editor’s Note: This letter read to the Lynd School Board was submitted as a letter to the editor. Because of its length it’s being published as an op-ed

The last time I was in front of this school board was shortly before my son finished his eighth grade year here in Lynd. He read a statement to the board asking them to consider adding a high school option even if it had to be an online learning environment. Never did I think I would be standing here again while watching Lynd School be torn apart.

I chose Lynd even though the bus came at 6:40 a.m.

I chose Lynd because Caren and Mr. Swenson and Mr Dobberstien all new my kids by name.

I chose Lynd because the bus came to my door and my kids were able to attend three day all day preschool and I didn’t have the kind of job that would just let me leave to pickup kids at a preschool across town.

I chose Lynd because they provide a musical instrument for every student.

I chose Lynd because Mrs Palmer had a concert based on Black History Month.

I chose Lynd because Mr Greenwood taught my son about measure twice and cut once and he now has a successful career in construction

I chose Lynd because I could go have lunch with my kids whenever I wanted.

I chose Lynd because the teacher recognized that my son needed to be tested for ADHD.

Seventh percent of your students are open enrolled. They are choosing Lynd. But its not just about those students, its also about the other 30 percent that could open enroll elsewhere but they choose Lynd.

What is currently happening with the teachers contracts and the suspension of Bev and Jason is causing people to question the motives of this board.

I believe I speak for many here in this audience when we say we want, no we deserve answers. We deserve transparency, teachers deserve a fair contract, we deserve to know why a Jason and Bev are on paid leave instead of working for the school, students and families.

We are aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents of previous students, parents of current students, and parents of upcoming students and we are all shocked and disgusted by the behavior that is happening and continues to happen.

We deserve to be heard respectfully and wholly and without snickers and eye rolls. We deserve a board chair who does not end up on the front page of the local newspaper.

— Dealyn Rose is a Marshall resident