Plains School Board discusses dismissal of a teacher

PLAINS – The Plains School Board of Trustees met Monday to discuss the nonrenewal of a non-tenured teacher: Nathan Friesz.

The meeting was jam packed with students and teachers with close to 25 in attendance.

Superintendent Thom Chisholm made a recommendation for the nonrenewal without cause as indicated by the Montana Code annotated in section 20-4-206.

After the recommendation was made, emotional students and parents took a stand and voiced their concerns about letting Mr. Friesz go.

Jeremiah Crawford spoke on behalf of the student body and discussed Mr. Friesz’s accomplishments in the two years he had been the shop teacher.

“Mr. Freisz was hired my sophomore year of high school and he’s not just a good teacher, he’s a good person,” said Crawford. “Mr. Freisz gives everybody their fair chance and since he’s been in shop there’s been an increase in female students that have been interested in taking shop.”

Crawford said none of the students wanted to see him leave. Since Mr. Friesz has been on board, Crawford stated he had learned more mechanically than ever before.

“Even the people that aren’t going to be here next year don’t want to see him leave.”

Suzanne VonHeeder also spoke at the meeting. She explained that on any given weekend she opens her home to her kids’ friends and hosts anywhere between two and ten students.

“The only teacher in this entire school they talk about is Mr. Freisz,” said VonHeeder. “I think you guys really need to listen to your students and find out what the deal is.”

As emotions flared, students were seen tearing up at the situation, a few hanging their head low.

“I’ve gone in his classroom many times unexpected. Every single kid in there is working and they’re disciplined,” said VonHeeder going on to say the compassion Mr. Freisz exhibits for his students cannot be taught.

“I don’t think he’s getting a fair shot here. He’s a great teacher,” said VonHeeder.

VonHeeder recommended the school board table the issue in order for them to take time to think about what they are doing.

“This man is not only (a teacher). He’s a coach, he’s a mentor and he chaperones whenever anybody needs a chaperone,” she continued. “This man is willing to step up and do it. And these kids right here and all the other ones that couldn’t be here tonight are thinking the exact same thing.”

Other kids spoke up stating that Mr. Freisz is very professional in the classroom.

As they spoke, kids from the crowd could be heard saying I second that and even “I third that.”

Cheryl McDonald said that her and her husband often times look to Mr. Freisz for advice on how to deal with their own kids, simply because Mr. Freisz understands the students.

“There’s a new breed of kid and that’s these kids. They are different and Nathan understands those kids,” said McDonald.

Student Brady Ovitt said Mr. Freisz does not talk down to his students, instead he talks to them like he’s their brother and makes them feel right at home.

“I think he’s one of the best shop teachers I’ve ever seen or have had definitely,” said Ovitt.

Overall, six people present voiced their concerns.

Chisholm stated that he appreciated everything that had been said and the courage it took many people to stand up in front of the crowd and say it. However, his position remained the same.

“From my position as superintendent, I do not change my recommendation to the board,” said Chisholm stating this decision was not out of the blue but took a lot of thought.

As the school board went to a vote to not renew Mr. Freisz’s contract, they passed the nonrenewal four to one, with John Holland voting against letting Mr. Freisz go.