FAIRBURY – More than two dozen Fairbury Public Schools employees are set to resign at the end of the school year, and community members say that wave of departures reflects deep issues of miscommunication and mistrust.

A crowd filled the old Fairbury Jeffs gym Monday night, where five speakers — current and former educators and parents — voiced concern over the growing disconnect between teachers, administrators, and families.

Between the last two board meetings, more than a dozen resignations have been approved, including some administrators. That brings the total to over 25 new positions that will need to be filled for next school year.

Among those leaving are longtime teachers Grace Ellis and Emily Winter, who used their public comment time to defend their colleagues and raise concerns about the current climate.

“A narrative has emerged that paints our FPS teachers as uncooperative, disengaged, uncaring, and apathetic – and this could not be further from the truth," Ellis said. "There is a prominent disconnect... that has led to a grotesque misrepresentation of the educators who love, serve, coach, teach and help raise our community’s children.”

“I am leaving because this sour relationship... would turn me away from education entirely had I stayed for another year.”

Winter added:

“They lay down at night worried about their students... They do all this while keeping the buildings running despite a revolving door of administrators. Our people deserve better. They deserve for FPS to be a better employer.”

Superintendent Devin Embray has said nearly all open positions are already filled, with seven hires approved Monday. But trust remains shaky, and some parents and teachers say they’re being forced to “pick a side.”

Former educator Karen Horky told the board:

“We’ve got admin who are telling us to leave. Whatever has happened this year, we need to talk to each other... because we cannot afford to lose fabulous, fabulous teachers.”

Still, despite the tension, some held out hope for unity.

“We aren’t broken – we're fractured, but we can come together,” said special education teacher Adrian Bowen. “I had a parent tell me they felt they had to choose between teachers and board members... and that was such an eye-opener. You don’t have to choose – if we just come together.”

That sentiment was echoed by FPS parent Johnna Austin:

“It seems that I, along with other parents, have to make a choice: team administrators or team teachers? What a pathetic position... We should all be on the same team: team students.”

Under meeting policy, the school board cannot respond to public comments. We’ve reached out to both staff and administration to provide a fuller look at this developing story later this week.