A last ditch effort to save Nathan Freisz

PLAINS – In a last ditch effort to get their teacher Nathan Freisz back, the community flooded the Plains School Board of Trustees meeting Monday night hoping their pleas would be heard.

Decked out in shirts with FSC splattered on the front for Freisz’s Shop Class, the community and students stood up for a teacher they do not want to see leave.

Suzanne VonHeeder, a parent of three kids in the Plains School District stated she had sent an appeal to the school board members last Thursday.

“This is our last ditch effort to save our teacher that these kids and students love,” said VonHeeder.

Two weeks ago, petitions were sent around town collecting signatures for those who supported getting Freisz back into the school. According to VonHeeder, the high school principal signed the petition as well as half the students in the high school, many junior high kids and countless concerned community members.

VonHeeder reiterated that the board needs to table their decision and listen to the voices of the community.

“We are fighting for this teacher. Our voice, the kids voice and the town have a voice. We have a voice and the school board needs to listen to that voice,” said VonHeeder.

Others stepped up to the plate asking for an explanation to why Freisz’s contract was not renewed.

Plains resident Mary Curry explained that she has been granted no answers to the situation. She explained that Freisz worked with her grandson and helped turn him around.

“He has a voice and no one is listening to it. No one is listening to us,” said Curry.

Acting Chairman of the Board, Polly Icenoggle, reminded those in attendance that they could voice their feelings for or against the board’s decision but the teacher’s performance and personality could not be discussed.

Amidst her words, others continued to speak out about Freisz.

Cheryl McDonald voiced up next stating that the school board was not hearing the community and student’s pleas to reconsider.

“These people have been talking and nobody is looking at them. I don’t even think you heard them,” said McDonald.

Kathy Gorham was the last to take a stand describing the impact Freisz had on her grandson. Gorham explained many kids in the community do not have a man figure within their household and Freisz helped play that roll to her grandson.

“He answered his questions, he’s showed him how to do things and now I see he’s being let go. I don’t get it,” said Gorham.

The board was unable to comment on why Freisz’s contract was not renewed without cause due to privacy issues. Policy states the board cannot discuss personnel issues with the public.

Once the board moved on to discuss reports, the group who gathered in support of their teacher burst out in anger and stomped out of the meeting.

Many lingered in the hallways listening in on the remainder of the meeting sporting their shirts in support of Freisz which has “Every rose has its thorns” printed on the back of them.

A parent of three students at Plains, Prentiss

Campbell said after the meeting that he did not feel good about what was going on and did not believe his voice was heard.

“The sad part about this is all of these people are people who care about this school. They are people who care about their children. They are people who work hard everyday. They believe in this town, they believe in this community,” said Campbell. “You can tell by the tears and broken voices when they are talking that it means a lot to them.”

After the meeting there were discussions from the general public to recall the school board members.

“We voted them in, we can vote them out,” said Curry.

Currently VonHeeder is waiting for the school board to respond to her appeal in writing and after that they plan to take it further with the Superintendent of Schools.

The School Board approved a new teacher hire for a 7 – 12 Industrial Arts Teacher, filling Freisz’s place.