NORWAY — The Norway-Vulcan School Board has eliminated the district’s math intervention position, citing an anticipated budget shortfall of $470,000 to $540,000.

The board’s unanimous vote at a special meeting Monday means Cassandra Gustafson’s job with the district will cease at the end of the school year.

Gustafson said during the meeting the board’s decision seemed based on personal rather than financial reasons. She stated that in two years, no administrator had visited her classroom or even knows what she does.

“I work in the margins where the difference between success and failure comes down to whether a student has one adult in their corner,” Gustafson said. “That is who I have been and that is what this board wants to take away.”

Brady Gustafson, a former board member and Cassandra Gustafson’s husband, said the board would lose one of the district’s best teachers. He added the action violates state and federal law and the board’s own policies.

He also noted the job elimination was being done ahead of a May 27 meeting in which the board was to discuss grievances Cassandra Gustafson had filed for mistreatment and harassment.

Board President Jenny DeDecker told the several other citizens who turned out for the meeting the decision was based on a position, not a person.

“We are here to decide if this position is what we need to set aside to make very challenging decisions for this district,” DeDecker said.

During public comments, resident Lisa Carlson questioned why at a previous meeting the board voted to add two teaching positions only to eliminate another now.

“Has the board taken action to review and cut expenses?” Carlson asked. “How is the school nurse funded and any other positions or partially funded positions that were previously funded by ESSER funds being funded now? How were these funds replaced once COVID money ended? Are we choosing these positions over a teacher position?”

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funding created under the American Rescue Plan Act during the COVID-19 pandemic had to be obligated for use by Sept. 30 of last year and spent by January.

Carlson also asked if the last-minute special meeting was in compliance with the Open Meetings Act and why an agenda was never released to the public in advance, as the board had agreed to do.

DeDecker reminded everyone this was a business meeting and much of the discussion on items takes place at committee meetings, which are also open to the public. But Brady Gustafson noted those committee meetings take place during the day when many cannot attend.

DeDecker added while the board decided last year not to eliminate any positions, if it does not act this time the decision would be taken away from the district. A budget forecast handed out before the meeting stated a continued drawdown of the fund balance at the current rate will result in the district falling under state oversight.