District administrator urges board to address patterns of dismissive behavior toward female staff

Amy Geiss, the district administrative assistant, took a portion of the meeting to report workplace concerns she said have become more pervasive and risked public controversy. She described repeated instances where female staff and students were interrupted or where staff expertise was dismissed during board or committee meetings. "During meetings to discuss the incoming superintendent search, a number of members have only referred to the incoming superintendent as 'he,'" she said, and she added she had seen "speaking over women at school board meetings" that left women feeling silenced.

Geiss said she did not intend to name individuals but wanted the board to address a pattern before it became public. She urged the board to consider how behavior in meetings affects staff morale and the district's public image. "I worry that this will affect your public image as well as the image of Wayzata Public Schools," she said.

Members responded with brief acknowledgements and some said the concerns warranted attention; the board did not adopt any immediate formal remedies during the meeting. Administration and board leaders agreed to continue the conversation and to avoid naming individuals in the public setting.

Next steps: the chair and staff will determine whether a private follow‑up or an agenda item is appropriate; no disciplinary or policy actions were decided at this session.