Blair School Board Appreciates Tim Welch’s Service, Addresses Community Concerns

BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 October 26, Saturday)
Kari Loseke, Blair School Board President

The Blair Community Schools Board of Education would like to address the concerns and comments raised at the October 14th Board Meeting, including those shared by Mr. Tim Welch, who resigned his seat on the Board of Education this month.

We are appreciative of Mr. Welch’s service and contributions during his time on the Board, and his decision to step down was unexpected. Board Members were also surprised by his recent public comments and the information he shared in the October 18th issue of the Washington County Enterprise. These concerns were not previously brought to the Board’s attention. In his nearly two years of service, we did not receive reports of this nature, nor did Mr. Welch raise specific concerns during our discussions, Superintendent evaluations, or policy reviews. It’s important to note that we annually review and reaffirm our district’s anti-bullying policies. We regret that Mr. Welch did not voice his concerns while he was serving, as we believe there could have been opportunities for productive dialogue and resolution.

We are also concerned with stories shared by members of the community at the October 14th meeting. While we fully understand the emotional weight of these experiences, we encourage anyone facing similar situations to reach out through established channels for assistance before feeling the need to share personal matters in such a public forum. We believe working through these issues within the appropriate framework can often provide quicker, more private resolutions, while minimizing the emotional toll on those involved. Rest assured, the administration is reviewing both of the concerns raised and the policies in place to ensure that such matters are handled with the utmost care and attention in the future. 

To that end, we would like to remind everyone of the proper steps for reporting concerns within the district:

1. Contact the teacher, coach, or guidance counselor as the first point of contact.
2. If the concern is unresolved, contact the principal. For school-wide concerns, this becomes step one.
3. If needed, reach out to the District office responsible for the area of concern.
4. Contact the Superintendent if the matter remains unresolved.

The final step, if necessary, would be a hearing with the Board of Education though this is rarely required. Most concerns can and should be addressed directly by staff who are closely connected to the daily operations of our schools. This process is in place to ensure confidentiality and efficient resolution. Board Members will always encourage individuals to follow this procedure. While we cannot act independently, we are available to listen and help guide individuals in the right direction. You can find contact information for all Board Members on the district’s website.

We also want to emphasize that communication is key when addressing concerns. The steps we have in place are meant to provide a system of checks and balances, which allows for thorough investigation and understanding of any issues. Sometimes it takes another level of investigation for more details to be revealed or understood. We are confident, however, in our staff who have devoted their careers to public education. Working in education is not easy, yet it’s easily criticized and we appreciate ALL the staff at Blair Community Schools who choose to work with kids.  Despite what may be shared on social media, please know that the concerns brought to us are never dismissed or ignored. Discretion is often necessary to protect the privacy and dignity of all involved.

Above all, the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. Everyone on the board has children who attended, or are currently attending, Blair Community Schools, so we understand firsthand the trust parents place in our schools. Our staff take any threats of violence seriously and act immediately to ensure safety. Our School Resource Officer and the Blair Police Department have been invaluable partners in keeping our schools safe, and we appreciate their commitment to our school district and this community. We all want students to be safe, valued, educated, and inspired. We will continue to invest in safety improvements across our buildings and remain committed to fostering an environment where all students learn.

Sincerely,
Kari Loseke
Board President,
on behalf of the Blair Community Schools Board of Education