Update post-press: Educators and parents held a protest before the Dec. 13 school board meeting and the Monroe Equity Council formally requested Monroe's superintendent to resign. That story is forthcoming.
MONROE — An online petition seeking to remove Monroe School District Superintendent Justin Blasko erupted last week, gaining more than 750 signatures within 48 hours but slowing down its pace by the third day. It had over 950 signatures as of Sunday, Dec. 12.
The petition asks the school board to remove Blasko, and that his replacement be located using a formal search committee.
A parent group launched the petition Dec. 7.
The call to oust the superintendent comes in concert with a separate push expected for the school district set protocols to be more responsive and accountable on combatting racism.
Greater public knowledge on how racist incidents among students over the past five weeks have been handled underscore the discontent.
On Dec. 13 after press time, the Monroe Equity Council and supporters are expected to approach the school board asking to have the district hire a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) officer, to declare the school district as anti-racist and to commit to across-the-board staff anti-racism training which goes above state minimum levels.
At its Nov. 22 meeting, the school board extended Blasko’s contact by one year to 2025.
If the board did choose to terminate either with or without cause, the district will have to pay. Blasko’s contract entitles him to at least twelve months of severance pay plus other benefits. It adds up to more than $250,000 in severance.
The board appointed Blasko as superintendent in 2020 to replace Fredrika Smith, who took a job with the region’s education service district. Prior to being appointed superintendent, he was a district assistant superintendent.
Blasko did not respond to a request for comment on the petition by a Dec. 10 deadline.
