Local residents and members of the Austin Education Association asked Austin School District board members Monday to delay any action relating to a vote of confidence in support of Superintendent Corrine Johnson and Human Resources Director Julie Jensen.

"Tonight, I would like you to hold off on your decision until our concerns can be heard … and to meet with the staff, teacher the custodians, secretaries, cook staff and hear their concerns," said Steven Fetzik, the director of communication for the Austin Education Association, at Monday's board meeting.

Fetzik told the board that none of the association's concerns have to do with budgetary matters relating to contracts or staff salary increases, "nor is this an attempt at misguided anger or mean spiritedness on our part."

Two parents who spoke at the meeting expressed concern on the lack of communication in the district.

"Please stop. Take the time and talk to everybody and get all the information you need. Because if you don't have all the voices … you are only going to be jumping over the fence and landing on a puddle of mud," said Anita Bissinger, mother of three students in Austin.

Rhonda Akkerman, a mother of three students, said she spoke for a group of parents on issues at Neveln Elementary School.

"As parents, we deal mainly with teachers and not with administration. You hire the teachers. They are asking for our help. They know the situation firsthand. We have to believe in them," Akkerman said.

Board Chairman David Simonson said the board was there to take concerns into consideration and it was important for them to know that the board would move on and look at other issues on the agenda.

Simonson presented a resolution on behalf of the district that supported both Johnson and Jensen, saying the two "are strongly dedicated and committed to providing quality programs and services to the organization's pre-school aged, and adult population."

The board unanimously approved the motion.

Board member Bruce Loveland said he felt that the "vote of no confidence" from the Austin Education Association was premature, because there were other actions that could have been taken.

Loveland pointed out that in the press release handed out last week, Jensen and Johnson had been approached by the AEA and were given a list of concerns and asked to come up with a plan by the beginning of this school year.

If they did not, the AEA would take it to the board and then proceed to the vote of no confidence.

"I don't know about you, but to me that sounds awfully threatening and would make anyone defensive," Loveland said. He also said the superintendent and Jensen do not report to the AEA, but to the school board.

Loveland and two other members had met with some of the teachers about their concerns.

"I am sure all board members would agree that we should look at all of these issues. There are positive things happening in our district," Loveland said.

He urged those in attendance to keep the situation in a positive note. "We will do everything to address the concerns."

Board member Larry Andersen continued to reassure the community that the concerns would not be taken lightly and there would be some "consequences."

During the superintendent's report, Johnson thanked the board for the vote of confidence and said she would keep doing her job and do everything to continue to improve the district's environment for the students.

"I am very grateful," Johnson said.

Johnson said each board member individually gave her their vote of confidence, but it needed to be stated in public.

"I would love to have everyone support me. No one likes to be disliked," Johnson said.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com