Nystrom resigns from Brainerd school board: family health, board critics cited as reasons

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Family health concerns and ever-increasing pressure on board members during a tumultuous year led to Nystroms’ decision, he told The Dispatch on Friday.

Nystrom’s wife Rachel Reabe Nystrom, former Crow Wing County Commissioner, was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease a few years ago, and her condition is getting worse. Nystrom, 64, said he was his wife’s primary caregiver and faced his family’s reaction to the difficult diagnosis while caring for his elderly parents.

His wife’s health, coupled with controversial issues such as critical racial theory and mask mandates, ultimately became too difficult for Nystrom, who has served on the board for 17 years since 2001, with a 2010 hiatus. -12.

RELATED: Nystrom Resigns As School Board Chairman and Stays On Board

That June 14 meeting took place, and it’s like all of a sudden my world has just exploded, he said, referring to a meeting where several members of the public expressed their concerns about Critical Race Theory, a topic that board members have said repeatedly is will never be taught in Brainerd public schools. One of the speakers at that meeting referred to a passage from the Bible, telling council members that he would be back to throw coals over their heads.

And then it continued all summer, Nystrom said.

As chairman of the board appointed for 2021, Nystrom decided to step back and step down as chairman in August, while continuing to serve on the board.

What I probably should have done was resign the night I stepped down from the presidency, but I really wanted it to work. And for a while it worked, but the tone and rhetoric only got worse, he said.

Nystrom said he knew people would likely call him a coward and some might be happy to have won a board member’s resignation, but that’s okay. People will say whatever they want, he said, noting that at the end of the day he has to take care of his family and his 40-year-old wife.

Bob Nystrom poses with his wife Rachel Reabe Nystrom and daughter Quinn Nystrom in 2019, as Quinn was about to leave with a trailer to Canada to buy cheaper insulin as part of a political movement. Contribution / Quinn Nystrom

Many of them will say, this is what you signed when you ran for office. And I haven’t told any of them, but actually, no, we haven’t. We didn’t sign up for it, he added. Most of my school board career has been spent in a community that at times will disagree, even permanently, like in 07-08 when the sample failed. But they always realized, OK, if I don’t like what he or she is doing, I can introduce myself to the school board. And if I don’t want to do it, I have to take a step back. That’s how it’s always been in this community, and now it’s like people can say anything through social media. I think that’s what has changed. They can say whatever they want, and it’s horrible. His insult, his threats.

RELATED: Face Covers Must Stay in Place at Brainerd Public Schools

Nystrom said he has no hard feelings against those who have been negative towards him, understanding that everyone has a right to have their opinion, but wishes it could have been done in a more civil and respectful manner. .

He’s always been there for the kids, he said, regardless of the problem. While some people may disagree with board decisions like the district-wide mask mandate this year, board members still feel they need to do what’s right for the students.

And we didn’t deserve to have this mask thing thrown at us by the state, Nystrom said, noting that the state has left COVID-19 protocols to school districts this year. Were not health experts. We did our best with the information we were able to gather from professionals MDE (Minnesota Department of Education), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), MDH (Minnesota Department of Health), the governor’s office.

RELATED: Brainerd Students Must Hide: School Board Divided Vote Imposes Face Covering

But looking back at his 17 years on the board, Nystrom remembers several victories, including passing the bond measure in 2002 to build Forestview High School and, of course, the successful referendum in 2018. He thanked the community for electing him five times. , allowing him to give back.

They still have my back, and coming from a kid who grew up in South Brainerd, having people who have really supported me all my life has been amazing. And that’s why I kept running, he said. … I wanted to help my community as best I could. Part of that was to keep our school district strong.

Finally, Nystrom said he would be remiss if he didn’t thank district staff for making public schools in Brainerd, in his opinion, the best district in the state.

And we have the best staff in the state, he said. I just thank them and want people to know that these people are dedicated to serving children. With any group, there will always be someone who is political, but the vast majority of teachers just want to take care of children and provide them with a safe environment and just get them to achieve a higher goal.

The school board is expected to accept Nystrom’s resignation at its next meeting on Monday and discuss how to fill the position. The board of directors is authorized by state law to fill the vacant position until the next election and then hold a special election to fill the remainder of Nystroms’ term, which runs until 2023.

Nystrom said the last time he remembered there was a vacancy on the board, interested candidates applied and interviewed the board.

THERESA BOURKE can be reached at [email protected] or at 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa.

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