Following a closed-door hearing on June 17 at Evergreen Elementary School, the school board upheld Superintendent Joshua Garrett’s recommendation not to renew the contract of kindergarten teacher Madison Blackburn for the upcoming school year.

Board President John DeRuyter confirmed the decision on Friday, June 19, stating that district policy prevents him from disclosing further details.

The board decision follows a community push to retain Blackburn, which included an online petition that drew 559 signatures by the day of the hearing. 

The third-year teacher was notified in April that her classroom management did not meet proficiency standards to come back for a fourth year to earn tenure.

Blackburn faced a budget-related non-renewal in 2025 before being rehired to fill an opening for the 2025-2026 school year.

During the June 17 appeal hearing, approximately a dozen community members gathered outside the school to show their support for Blackburn.

“While I am very disappointed by the decision made by the school board to uphold the superintendent’s recommendation of non-retention of my contract, I am incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support I have received,” Blackburn posted to her Facebook page the day after the appeal hearing.