Rochester Public Schools responds to the termination of counselor Christina Barton, Barton files to run for school board (2024)

Published: Jun. 5, 2024 at 2:09 PM CDT

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Rochester Public Schools (RPS) issued a statement Wednesday on the termination of elementary guidance counselor Christina Barton, a decision that was made at Tuesday’s RPS board meeting.

The board voted 5-2 in favor of passing an agenda item that outlined the nonrenewal of Barton’s contract with the district. Justin Cook and Don Barlow were the two voting against the measure.

Barton’s “employment relationship” with RPS will end on June 30.

The resolution passed by the board reads:

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes section 122A.41, subdivision 2(a), states that the first three consecutive years of a teacher’s first teaching experience in Minnesota in a single district are deemed to be a probationary period, and the probationary period in each district in which a teacher is thereafter employed shall be one year. During the probationary period, any annual contract with the teacher may, or may not, be renewed as the School Board sees fit;

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes section 121A.41, subdivision 4(b), further states that a probationary teacher is deemed to have been reemployed for an ensuing school year, unless the School Board gives the teacher written notice of nonrenewal before July 1;

WHEREAS, Christina Barton is in a probationary period of employment with Independent School District No.535:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 535 as follows:

1. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 122A.41, subdivision 2(a), the School Board hereby declines to renew the annual teaching contract of Christina Barton a probationary teacher, effective at the end of this school year:

2. As a result of this Resolution, the District’s employment relationship with the above-named teacher will terminate effective June 30, 2024.

3. The School Board has reviewed and hereby approves the written notice of nonrenewal for the affected teacher. The School Board Chair is directed to sign the written notice on behalf of the School Board. The reasons for non-renewal are classified as private personnel data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

4. The Superintendent, or a designee, is directed to serve the affected teachers with a copy of this Resolution and the approved written notice for that teacher before July 1. If possible, the notices should be hand-delivered.

RPS released a statement Wednesday after the board voted to not renew Barton’s contract. The statement reads:

Because the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act imposes restrictions on information Rochester Public Schools may release regarding a current or former employee, the District is unable to share details regarding the reasons for the non-renewal of Christina Barton.

Rochester Public Schools may, however, deny certain information that has been reported inaccurately in media coverage. Specifically, a media report stating that Ms. Barton was non-renewed “for speaking out against the district’s transgender guidelines” is inaccurate and was not attributed to a specific source. Neither the District’s administration nor the School Board made such a statement. Rochester Public Schools is unable to comment further on the reasons for non-renewal due to Minnesota law protecting the privacy rights of public employees.

As to the Rochester Education Association’s actions with respect to Ms. Barton, the union is a separate entity from Rochester Public Schools and does not speak or act on behalf of the District. The District has no control over the actions of the union, and any statements by the union or its representatives regarding Ms. Barton should not be conflated with the actions or views of Rochester Public Schools.

RPS and multiple board members did not explain a reason to KTTC as to why Barton’s contract was not renewed, citing it being a “personnel issue.”

Barton entered the spotlight for speaking out against the district’s transgender guidelines when it comes to informing parents of if their child is transgender or gender-expansive in an interview with Alpha News.

In her interview, Barton said, “That is primarily the reason why I’m bringing this forward because in our district we talk about family engagement, we talk about transparency and how important that is, but yet they’re unwilling to do that with this specific guideline.”

In response to the interview, Rochester Education Association (REA) President Vince Wagner (president of the teachers union for all teachers and guidance counselors for the district), gave a statement to the school board on April 23 that said in part, “These guidelines are compassionate, they are just, and they follow the best practices of many of our governing organizations including the National Education Association and the American School Counselor Association.”

Barton spoke again at the May 7 RPS Board meeting, explaining her side of the story and why she spoke out, as captured in the video below and posted by the Minnesota Parents Alliance on X.

RPS denies Barton speaking out against the district’s guidelines to media outlets as the reason for her termination.

On Wednesday following the board approving her termination, Barton filed to run as a candidate for Rochester Public Schools Board. Barton has filed to run for RPS Board Position 7, which is currently held by Jessica Garcia. Garcia has not yet filed for re-election. Garcia voted in favor of not renewing Barton’s contract Tuesday night.

KTTC has reached out to Vince Wagner the president of REA regarding the situation. Wagner stated how Barton was no longer a member of the REA, as she was expelled last month. Wagner also added how the district has the right to non-renew any non-tenured teacher and does not need to provide a reason for why it is doing this.

KTTC also reach out to Barton regarding the situation and is still waiting to hear back. This story will be updated when or if she responds.

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