Teachers Express Frustrations at FPS Board Meeting

By Gordon Hopkins Several Fairbury Public School teachers took the opportunity during the public comment period of a Board of Education meeting Monday evening, April 14, 2025, to express their frustration at what they see as an us-versus-them mentality pervasive in the school system.Speakers addressed school board members and Superintendent Dr. Devin Embray. Grace EllisThe first speaker was Grace Ellis, who was hired in 2022 and submitted her resignation this year, “I'm here today to speak about the rise in tension, discontent and hostility within Fairbury Public Schools. The last few years, I have served as a secondary English teacher at FPS, though I feel that simple title does not encompass all of the work I routinely do.”“I do not say this to complain, because I choose to do all of this as my passion for education, creativity and connection. I do these things because I love and care about all of my students, because I have always and will always do what I can to create every opportunity for them to learn, grow and create in a safe and caring environment. I'm telling you these things because, in news articles, gossip, meetings and social media, a narrative has emerged that paints our FPS teachers as uncooperative, disengaged, uncaring and apathetic,” said Ellis. “I firmly believe that there is a prominent disconnect between our staff, our school board, our superintendent and our community. This disconnect has led to a grotesque misrepresentation of the educators who love, serve, coach, teach, and help raise our community's children.”“I work with people who go above and beyond for students every day, not for a paycheck or an award or because they have to. We do it because we want to, because we believe in the impact of a good education, because we believe in the potential of every child,” said Ellis. “I have chosen to leave Fairbury not because of difficult students, low pay, better opportunities or because I use this district as a stepping stone. When I accepted the position here, it was always with the intent of staying for my entire career. I'm leaving because I fear that the sour relationship between teachers and those in charge of us would have turned me away from education entirely had I stayed for another year. I'm leaving because the words and decisions coming from Dr. Embray and the school board show how little you know and understand the staff that you work with. If I could leave you with one thing, It would be this: for the sake of in this district, its staff and its students, please do better.” Emily WinterDr. Emily Winter, secondary high school teacher who resigned earlier this year, also served as head negotiator during contract negotiations. A major sticking point with the contract this go-around was paid time off. The negotiating team was also unhappy that an attorney was brought in to negotiate for the school board.Winter said, “Negotiators relentlessly pushed six restrictions on our teacher benefits, restrictions that when polled, 97 percent of our teachers were against. You refused to share any data to support your demands. I sat at the table advocating for our staff, respectfully communicating issues that were brought to us by staff. It was the board negotiators who refused to sit at the table. It was theboard negotiators who brought in lawyers and forced the teachers to solely communicate and negotiate with the district's legal counsel.”“I don't think you understand the severity of the situation. This, losing 53 percent of certified staff in one building, and these kids don't know who's going to teach them next year, should serve as your wake up call. There are things that FPS needs to do better,” said Winter. “And contrary to what I've been told multiple times, they are not easily replaced. Even if you manage to fill these positions, you will not find the caliber and the longevity of those people that you're losing.” Karen HorkeyFormer teacher Karen Horkey said, “I'm also a former teacher who quit last year, retired, because of many of these same reasons, and I'm imploring all of you to listen to your teachers.”“We need to talk to each other and figure out a step forward, because we cannot afford to lose fabulous, fabulous teachers we are letting slip through our fingers,” said Horky. “We're going to fight through this, come together and make it better for everyone, for students, for teachers, for administration, as well as for the board.” Adrian Bowen“We're fractured, but we can come together. This can be done together,” said Elementary Special Education educator Adrian Bowen. “I had a parent who simply told me that they felt they had to choose between teachers and board members and admin, and that was such an eye-opener to me.” Johnna AustinA parent of two FPS students, Johnna Austin, also spoke, “I'm a local business owner and a proud child of two retired public school teachers.”Austen agreed with others, that there is an us-versus-them mentality at the school, “It seems that I, along with other parents in this community, we have to make a choice. Are we team administrators? Are we team teachers? What a pathetic position you've put us all in to make such a choice. We should be all on the same team: Team students.”“Fairbury public school teachers are more,” added Austin. “Than just teachers, and they deserve better.” Devin EmbrayBoard rules do not allow for the board to respond directly to speakers during the open comment period. However, Superintendent Embray did provide a response to FJN after the meeting via email. He wrote, in part, “I would like to address false and harmful statements being circulated about my leadership. I have never said teachers are “a dime a dozen” or “if you don’t get on board, get out.” These are fabrications. In August 2024, during my welcome-back message to staff, I stated that all of us—myself included—are ultimately replaceable. This was part of a broader, 20-minute message about collective responsibility, teamwork, and growth. That single remark has been taken out of context by those who may disagree with the direction the district is heading. However, I want to be clear: I have not made any decisions unilaterally. Every major initiative has involved representative teacher input in the form of a committee like the Strategic Planning Committee—now called the Comprehensive School Improvement Committee (CSI), board oversight, and collaboration. In fact, our new CSI committee will have parent representation by building level headed into next year.”Embray added, “We remain focused on serving our students, supporting our educators, and ensuring that Fairbury Public Schools continue to thrive with transparency, integrity, and purpose.”

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