G. Moritz, Editor
As a follow up from last week’s article, there are a few updates, but no word as yet as to the reasons behind it all. In response to last week’s article, Garretson School Superintendent Guy Johnson sent out a SMS text message to the parents of the district that had signed up for the service. The message was sent out at 12:57 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 and read, “Please take a moment to read Superintendent Johnson's response to the article published in today's Garretson Gazette. https://5il.co/155ko.”
Following that link led to the following letter:
February 3, 2022 Good afternoon:
The Garretson School District Board of Education and District Administration maintain a goal to keep its stakeholders informed of matters that impact the school district community. The ability of the district to inform its stakeholders may be limited by federal and state statutes governing privacy matters, as well as school district policies and basic human decency. It is important to note that if an immediate concern for student safety were present, the district would inform parents immediately. In this case, there are none.
The Garretson Gazette published in today’s paper a story entitled “Why has Chris Long not been on the job?” We understand that people are curious. It is true that Mr. Long is currently absent from his duties. However, as noted above, the District will not release any details related to personnel matters.
The District is aware that there are some students who may wish to stage a “protest” in the commons Monday morning, February 7th, and at the basketball games on Friday, February 4th. Certain students are encouraging others to protest by skipping first period class on Monday as well. As a school district, we recognize our students’ first amendment rights as allowed by law. However, a protest may not be conducted in such a manner as to disrupt the school process. If those students behave in a manner that disrupts other students or visitors to the school, there may be consequences for those students. Likewise, if students choose to skip class on Monday, they also should be aware that there may be consequences applied for the unexcused absence. Finally, students who choose to behave in a manner that is not consistent with behavior expectations at school-sponsored events, including the basketball game, or at the school (as articulated in board policy) may be required to leave the venue and may be held responsible for their behavior.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office. Thank you.
-Guy Johnson Superintendent Garretson School District 49-4
From this, we do have official confirmation that Chris Long has not been on the job. Whether this means an involuntary leave of absence or suspension, temporary or otherwise, is still unanswered.
Students have turned out to show their support for Long.
At the Garretson High School boys’ basketball game on Friday, Feb. 10 there were a number of students and a few adults who wore T-shirts to silently protest in support of Chris Long. No chanting or any signage was on display, just a peaceful show of support and solidarity.
Normally at games and public events, School Resource Officer and Minnehaha County Deputy Sherriff Jason Aanenson is present to provide security, and on Friday night two other county police officers were present with him. These officers had an uneventful night, as there were no incidents.
Likewise, on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, Officer Aanenson had a second officer present as backup for the student planned sit-in at the school lunchroom. This too, was completely peaceful.
The plan was for the students to start their sit-in at 8 a.m. and miss first period, which is usually used as a homeroom, study hall and planning time.
“We just want Long back,” they said. “We just want some answers.”
They also talked about perhaps doing the same sort of protest at the next school board meeting. The Gazette has since learned that many of the students who participated will indeed be facing a weekend detention this Saturday.
There was some fluctuation in and out by students. At its height, about twenty students joined the sit-in protest, but only about 8 stayed until around 9 a.m. Students sat peacefully together in the commons area, mostly talking to each other, checking their phones and moving a pencil around on a homework assignment. Occasionally a teacher would come over to check on them or say hello, as would other students.
After speaking with the students, the Gazette staff has decided not to publish any student names for their own protection, however we felt it would be important to relay their comments to the public.
These students said that they expected to have senior class off-campus privileges revoked or to serve detention for this sit-in, but that it was a price they were willing to pay for a coach they admire.
“We just want Mr. Long back,” they said. “We just want some answers.”
They also talked about perhaps doing the same sort of protest at the next school board meeting. The Gazette has since learned that many of the students who participated will indeed be facing a weekend detention this Saturday.
The next scheduled school board meeting is Monday, Feb. 14. starting at 5:45 p.m. Though there are opportunities for public comment, the school’s current policy is that you register and schedule your commentary twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting with the administration.
