Union, teachers plead for help from Fargo School Board

(Fargo, ND) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has taken it's toll on many professions, and teachers are not exempt from the struggles met in the past year and a half.

During Tuesday evening's school board meeting, many stood up to advocate for more aide and care for the district's lifeline, educators.

"Increase demands and responsibilities, low morale and teacher burnout have made this job daunting on best days and near impossible on the worst," said Union Representative and Fargo South High School teacher Bejamin Norman. "We have teachers across the district, both union and non-union asking to get out of their contracts."

This has been a well documented challenge for the school board, be it sticking with guidelines put forth by Fargo Cass Public Health and the state, while also attempting to 'tow the line' with educators on everything from remote learning, to in-person social distancing and masks.

Norman did add that if more isn't done to help teachers in the district, they could move to others in the area or even quit their profession all together out of frustration. The key moving forward may be communication within the board and the teacher's union to work through issues being faced on a day in and day out basis.