Strong feelings regarding Amundson
A march in a show of support for the Bluff View student who was burned began Wednesday afternoon, May 30, near the high school grounds. A dozen people marched.
Amundson supporters have come out in force at his court appearance and at a recent school board meeting.
Signs such as this one have popped up in and around Prairie du Chien.
Simmering near the surface
Feelings of district residents split regarding Amundson
By Ted Pennekamp
The issue surrounding Bluff View Intermediate School Principal Aaron Amundson has split a relatively large segment of the Prairie du Chien School District. Amundson has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of child abuse-recklessly causing harm. The 14-year-old boy sustained a burn to his hand when Amundson attempted to clean off a profanity, according to court documents.
Numerous people have shown support for Amundson, and the vast majority of those in the crowds at his initial court appearance and at a recent school board meeting were supporters.
Only five people spoke at the school board meeting, two in favor of Amundson and three against. But, many people stayed in the hallway outside of the meeting room at City Hall during part of the closed session in a show of support. Many of the supporters are teachers, staff and students.
Amundson detractors as well as supporters have used social media to voice their opinions. There is even a video on YouTube.
Another development has emerged, however, from those who are waging a campaign against Amundson.
A march took place on May 30. Bethany Iverson, a parent, and Kristine Rutherford, a parent and a former school board member, said the march was a show of support for the 14-year-old boy who was burned. The march began at 3 p.m. at the high school and ended at Bluff View.
Also, numerous red signs continue to pop up on the front lawns of district residents. The signs say, “Stop the Bully.”
“There are nearly 100 signs in and around Prairie du Chien and we have requests for a lot more,” said Iverson who spoke against Amundson at the school board meeting. Iverson said the signs are aimed at removing Amundson from his position as principal and also at bullying in general.
“Bullying is such a horrible thing. This is such an important issue,” Iverson said. “Our aim is to help those who have had injustices done to them and show them that they are not alone.”
Iverson admitted that Amundson supporters have greatly outnumbered those who are against him at the court appearance and the school board meeting. She said there has been a lot of fear on the part of parents, some school staff and students from speaking out against Amundson for fear of retribution at school or from other community members. Iverson said parents also don’t want their children to have a feeling of being ostracized.
“There are hundreds of stories from staff members, parents and kids and there is a backlash against anyone who speaks,” said Iverson.
For several years, said Iverson, parents have tried to go through proper channels but have been largely ignored. “We have run out of options, so we are using social media, signs and bumper stickers. This is a grassroots movement. We want to let people know this is a safe place and to give them strength to tell their stories.”
Iverson said that she pulled her then seventh-grade daughter out of school immediately following the 2015 incident in which Amundson called students idiots and used the word kill while addressing students. She said she knows of at least 10 other families who pulled their children from school because of Amundson. She said Amundson has called students several derogatory names over the years and that he also has used swear words, including the F-word.
“It’s all about the kids,” said Rutherford. “The bullying has to stop. We’ve heard from many people from years back. We do want him out. I don’t want anyone to lost their job, but we don’t want to see something tragic. He’s scary. We’ve got to do something. It scares me so bad.”
“This is really real what we’re living,” Rutherford continued. “We want a safe place for our kids again. We’re not trying to be vicious. We’re just trying to get on the same page and make things safe for our kids.”
“We as parents understand discipline. We understand that some children are a handful,” said Iverson. “What we are asking for is an administrator who knows how to set proper boundaries and rules along with fair and just punishment. What we want is someone who can correct a behavior without screaming, using insults, profanity or threats. We want someone our children can respect without fear. We don’t feel our children are safe under the current principal and we just want our voices to be heard.”
Shelley Mergen, a parent of three students who have gone through the Prairie du Chien School system, says she is in favor of keeping Amundson as principal at Bluff View.
“The ‘Stop the Bully’ campaign is wrong, I don’t care who you are. No matter what the issue is, this is not the way to go about it,” said Mergen. “Making signs that specifically target a man, a member of our community for 21 years with a family is just wrong.”
Mergen said there is a newly elected school board and a court system that is highly competent and can handle the due process.
“I understand the concerns of the ‘Stop the bully’ group, but I definitely do not agree with this form of character assassination on Mr. Amundson,” said Mergen. “We all have the right to agree to disagree but it’s my opinion this group has gone to far!”
There are hundreds of students who are thankful and happy that Amundson has been the principal at Bluff View, said Mergen in noting that she spoke to one girl who said she felt unsafe with some fellow students who were always disrupting class and getting into trouble. When the girl told Amundson about her fears, he reassured her that if she ever needed his help his door was open. There are many more stories like hers, said Mergen.
Mergen said there are a lot of Amundson supporters for good reason. “I have spoken to some people who have worked side by side with him and know, for the last three years especially, he has put his heart and soul into being a better man, which I believe the has become,” she said.
There are many stories that aren’t being told about all of the good things Amundson has done for many children who have gotten into trouble over the years, said Mergen. Many of those students have come back to thank Amundson for helping them get back on the right track, she said.
“I believe Aaron is a good man who cares about the well-being of all children under his watch as principal of Bluff View,” said Matt Martin, whose children are now in high school. “There are countless kids that Aaron has mentored, been a positive role model to, and helped through difficult situations either at school or at home. It is unfortunate that the loudest voices, and the ones receiving the most attention, represent the few exceptions during his tenure at Bluff View.”
Regarding the “Stop the Bully” sign campaign, Martin believes it is wrong. “My opinion is that putting signs in your yard disparaging an individual is itself a form of bullying,” he said.
Martin said he believes the number of supporters who have taken time out of their day to be there for Amundson at his court appearance and the school board meeting indicates just how many people strongly believe in Amundson.
Martin also said he has no doubt that Bluff View has a good and safe environment with Amundson as its principal.
Amundson’s arraignment is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on June. 12.
