The Edina school board has decided not to take action against its vice chairwoman, Sarah Patzloff, who came under fire recently over a social media post. The board said in a statement Wednesday that an independent investigation has concluded and the matter is closed.
The board held a closed meeting Tuesday to discuss the complaints against Patzloff regarding a Facebook post in which she criticized a blog by a 10th-grade English teacher in the Edina schools.
Patzloff on Feb. 6 shared the PDF of the English teacher Jackie Roehl's blog, Voices from the Inside, on a private Facebook page for Edina parents, calling its manifesto "frightening." The blog made a case for teaching students about racial and social justice issues.
"Overall, educators must understand that despite the fact that discussing issues of race, racism, and Whiteness is uncomfortable, they need to experience that discomfort to effect real change," the blog post said.
A Fox 9 News report said a crowd of parents gathered outside the meeting venue to support Patzloff, who has been on the board for six years. The parents alleged that she was being called out for speaking her mind because she had conservative views, Fox 9 News reported.
Patzloff could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
During the closed meeting, she delivered the following statement:
"I would like to express my regret for posting comments on Facebook that were upsetting to some members of our community. It wasn't my intent to offend anyone. I will continue to strongly advocate for our students and hope that we can put this matter behind us and focus our attention on the work of the District."
