Forestview Middle School teacher Kara Hall resigned Wednesday, June 3, after widespread concern over social media statements many deemed racist.
The comments came on a Facebook post shared by a former lakes area resident detailing her experience among protesters in Minneapolis, following the death of George Floyd in police custody May 25.
Comments included: “I know all I see are scary awful blacks people robbing businesses that don’t deserve this.”
Another comment from Hall criticizing Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and calling for law and order to be restored included: “The creepy, destructive, violent blacks we are all across America watching raid and ruin businesses across America need to be put in jail!”
RELATED: Petition seeks firing of Forestview teacher accused of racist social media comments
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On Thursday, Hall issued the following statement addressed to the Brainerd community and Brainerd School District:
"I am sincerely apologetic for the outrage and pain I have caused this great community by my inappropriate comments to Kali Erin Wolhart on Facebook. I have respectfully resigned from my position after teaching middle school visual arts for the past 18 years. We tell our students to think before they speak, that words matter, and what we say will have consequences. I did not practice what I preached. Ms. Wolhart is a former student with whom I have maintained a positive relationship over the years, and I am deeply saddened by the impact of this situation on that relationship.
"Like most people in America, I was horrified by the murder of George Floyd. I included that statement in her post; an important piece she neglected to share. I believe in justice and equality, and recognize this terrible act is reflective of how far we have to go to achieve that goal. The posts that were widely shared regarding the aftermath of this unjust act did not reflect my care and concern for those most impacted. My words were terribly wrong. They were typed in a heated moment that I regret. Not because I lost a career I valued, but because it hurt community members and students for whom I have great respect and truly care about. I hope they will forgive me and give me a chance to move forward in a positive way. I want all of my students to know they mattered, and will always matter."
While Hall’s comments originated on a post made by Wolhart, the Facebook post sparking the outcry and calls for Hall’s firing was made by someone else, who witnessed the exchange on Wolhart’s post.
District statement
Brainerd Public Schools Superintendent Laine Larson issued the following statement Thursday:
“Recent events in our community, state, and country have us all on a rollercoaster ride, which I suspect no one wanted to take. First there was the disruption of a COVID-19 global pandemic and the requirement of distance learning for all. Then the tragic death of George Floyd set in motion a series of events in the Twin Cities and the world that will take a long time to process, including the troubling personal social media activity of a Brainerd Public School District employee. I am writing today to share what we at Brainerd Public Schools are doing to create a brighter, safer, and more just future for all.
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“Last evening, Kara Hall, Forestview Middle School Art Teacher, submitted her resignation from teaching with Brainerd Public Schools, effective June 3, 2020. I am recommending the Board of Education accept this resignation at their regular meeting on Monday, June 8, 2020.
“The views she expressed on social media earlier this week are contrary to our District's mission to ‘ensure all students achieve their individual potential by providing the highest-quality programs and resources to prepare learners for an ever-changing global society.’ It is my expectation that every one of the over 1,200 employees at Brainerd Public Schools has a daily goal to affirm and carry out the belief that every student has an invaluable place in our organization and community.
“Brainerd Public Schools has been working systemically to create equity in all we do, from changing curriculum and instruction to training staff through research-based professional learning. We understand that there is still work to do to close gaps in learning that occur in predictable — and thus preventable — patterns according to race and socioeconomic status. This equity work remains essential and we as a school district are more committed to it than ever.
“Thank you to community and staff members who reached out to share their concerns about the events of this week. It has been heartwarming to see such a deep commitment to making sure every single learner entrusted to us has caring teachers and staff who value them. The District is committed to taking matters seriously and acting on them in a fair and timely manner. Together, we pursue educational excellence while ensuring a safe environment.”
Rallying behind the district
A group of community members who planned a rally Thursday evening to advocate for Hall’s firing still rallied, but instead it was a rally of support for the school district.
The group issued a statement Thursday afternoon:
“Now we will turn that (rally) into a ‘Support Brainerd School Leadership’ event. Showing thank you and appreciation for their investigation and for swift action by all parties.
“We will be there with signs supporting our district, snacks, water and unity as a community making sure to be a voice for all students regardless of color.
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“Miigwech Brainerd School Leadership and community members who brought this to light, supported equal treatment and vocalized their concerns. Brainerd Warriors ARE colorblind.”
While turnout was understandably smaller after Hall’s and Larson’s statements, lakes area families gathered at the intersection of Sixth and Washington streets to thank the district for its swift action on the issue. Freedom and Shannon Porter were among them.
“We had people ready to show up to terminate the teacher, but we also wanted the spotlight the positive from the district — they took action and they listened to the parents,” Freedom Porter said. “People are quick to show the negative stuff. We just wanted to say we appreciate it, publicly, not just on Facebook. I’m sure they don’t hear it a lot.”
“It was a tough position (for the district),” Shannon Porter said. “They investigated, they took swift action, and because of that all the parties involved made the right decision. So we just want to say thank you to the district and the community, everybody who spoke out, wrote letters, sent Facebook messages.”
Both Porters said they weren’t aware of other instances of discrimination in the district — instead, they said the district proactively honored their Ojibwe heritage — but they noted their perspective is limited and they can only speak for what they’ve learned from Baxter Elementary School.
Kaari Weyaus, a Brainerd mother of seven, said her children could vouch for multiple occasions of outright discrimination in their schools. Two of them joined her on Washington Street, while another two stayed home for fear they might draw attention to themselves from teachers.
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“Hopefully we can get that on the agenda with friends and neighbors who have seen racism or experienced that racism themselves, so we can compile that data on the local level,” Weyaus said. “I applaud their swift action. We thought about canceling today, but I think if we’re going to be against the district, we need to applaud them when they did what they needed to do.”
The situation illuminated some surprising perspectives, Freedom Porter said, who pointed to interactions with a fellow parent who said they couldn’t support Hall’s resignation — not because they agreed with her statements, he said, but because Hall enjoyed a special and nurturing relationship with their autistic child. It highlighted just how sad the incident was all around, he said.
“I’m sure this teacher, like all teachers, has touched hundreds of lives, but it’s just an unfortunate situation,” Freedom Porter said. “After serving for 20 years in education, I can’t help but feel bad it ended this way, despite what she said. Racism is tough. People just don’t think about it. To have an educator, somebody who influences kids’ minds, that’s something we can’t have.”
THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .
GABRIEL LAGARDE may be reached at gabe.lagarde@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5859. Follow at www.twitter.com/glbrddispatch .
