MORE K-M CHAOS

For the fourth time, in as many school years, Kasson-Mantorville will have a new superintendent, after Superintendent Ted Ihns announced his resignation from the school district effective the end of school year.

The announcement came during the district’s organizational meeting on Monday night.

Ihns began in July, replacing Interim Superintendent David Thompson, who served as superintendent for the 2023-2024 school year, replacing longtime Superintendent Mark Matuska who abruptly resigned right before the school year began.

Previously, Ihns served as superintendent of the Indianola Community School District schools for two years, before announcing he would be “retiring” from the district, according to multiple news outlets in Iowa.

Multiple attempts to reach Ihns for this story have gone unreturned. Ihns gave no explanation for his resignation during the meeting.

Closed Session

After the regular portion of the meeting, the School Board met in closed session under Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subd. 2(b), which is an exception to the Open Meeting Act to close a meeting to the public “for preliminary consideration of allegations or charges against an individual subject to its authority.”

In question was Amy Olson, who abruptly resigned from office in October, following multiple allegations against her before winning her re-election bid, including an alleged interaction between herself and Ihns.

A copy of the apparent investigative report has not been provided to the DCI. Ihns on Monday confirmed the meeting was in regard to Olson.

In emails obtained by the DCI, previous board chair Kent Harfmann said following the homecoming game, Olson allegedly confronted an unidentified person in an office “without prior notice.”

“The conversation, which lasted several minutes, was reportedly hostile and accusatorial in nature, wherein you claimed that the investigation (redacted) was biased. This interaction was concerning enough for two staff to check on (redacted) well-being afterward,” Harfmann wrote.

Olson previously referred the DCI to the emails, when asked about the interaction.

“I did speak with (redacted) on that Friday. I asked (redacted) for permission to speak for a few minutes and (redacted) invited me in. I was in a bit of an emotional state and I did tell (redacted) I was trying really hard to keep my lanes separate. He immediately got defensive against a concern I had as a parent with (redacted),” she wrote in her response to Harfmann.

“I told (redacted) that I was in no way implying that (redacted) needed to (redacted) and that I was trying to have a conversation with (redacted). (Redacted) continued to badger me about what (redacted) could have done differently and yes, against my better judgment I did bring up some concerns regarding Title IX. (redacted) asked several times, and I declined, but then I realized that it was a closed conversation and if (redacted) wanted to know, I’d put it out there,” Olson’s email response continues.

“(Redacted) then asked me if I had any idea how awful (redacted) week was — which to me was considerably insensitive as my family’s entire life has been turned upside down, which I stated and (redacted) responded with ‘how did we get here’ implying (redacted) was to blame for all this,” Olson wrote. “That immediately sent up red flags as this was how (redacted) was treating me a concerned parent, how is (redacted). I assured (redacted) that I still feel (redacted) I was just going to be very cautious going forward. (Redacted) stated we needed to agree to disagree, which I agreed to.”

“I did swear; I used the f-word in agreeing that yes it was ‘my f-ing prerogative’ as (redacted) stated to me. At no time did (redacted) ask me to leave and at no time did (redacted) say (redacted) felt unsafe. I did not raise my voice any louder than (redacted) raised (redacted) voice, however, I can see how swearing would feel threatening,” she wrote. “I attempted several times to connect with (redacted) to apologize and to figure out a way to move forward with a positive relationship, to which I was denied.”

She added: “I am deeply disappointed that there was no direct conversation had with me in any of this nor any guidance from the board chair. Moving forward, I hope that the board can be free of distractions and work towards a smooth transition in January.”

An email exchange between Olson and Ihns took place during the fall, after that alleged incident.

“I apologize for using this email to connect with you but I’m not sure you received my email from my personal gmail account,” Olson wrote in an email obtained by the DCI as part of a standard data request. “I’m wondering if you have time in the near future to discuss our impromptu meeting last Friday. I’m not feeling very good about how I handled myself and want to ensure that we can move forward with a positive working relationship.”

Ihns responded by saying, “Given the interaction from last week, I believe it is best to wait a while before scheduling a meeting.”

When asked previously about how she thinks she will be able to serve on the school board despite the interaction with Ihns, Olson said it wouldn’t be a problem.

“I pride myself on my ability to compartmentalize and to stay in my lane, and when I cross out of that lane I immediately acknowledge that and I took steps to rectify that,” Olson said, noting she attempted to have a conversation with Ihns.

No decision was expected to be made during the closed session meeting.

Olson declined to comment for this story.