Bemidji teacher urges school board to honor classroom work with fair contract

Christie O'Byrne, a teacher in the Bemidji Public School District, told the school board during public comment that the “magic” of learning happens because teachers do steady, unseen work and that the board should adopt a contract that provides fairness and dignity.

O'Byrne described the hours teachers spend before and after school, the planning and committee work, and the emotional effort that supports students’ learning. “Teachers create the magic, but even the strongest magic can't run on empty tanks,” she said, urging the board to “show up for us.”

The remarks came at the outset of the board’s meeting; the board did not discuss or respond substantively during the public-comment period. O'Byrne asked the board to recognize teachers’ professional expertise and to pursue a contract that sustains the work described.

The public comment period was limited to three minutes per speaker under board rules; this meeting’s public-comment item included a single participant who raised teacher-contract concerns.