By Melanie Stegner

Reporter

The Minnewaska Area School Board took action last week to terminate the employment of Gloria Andreasen, Mental Health Professional at WIN Academy, following the discovery of restrictions placed on her license. 

Restrictions were placed on Andreasen’s license in social work after an investigation by the Minnesota Board of Social Work discovered that between May of 2018 and September of 2022, while Andreasen owned and operated two private mental health practices, many treatments were poorly documented and coded incorrectly. Fraudulent and missing information was also reported according to the MBSW report. 

The restrictions placed were a restriction of engaging in an independent private social work practice for the duration of the order and a restriction for acting as a licensing supervisor for any social worker for the duration of the order. 

In August of 2022, Andreasen was hired by MAS to work at WIN Academy as a Mental Health Professional. The restrictions to her license were put into effect on July 1, 2023. On February 24, 2024, the district was asked if they knew Andreasen was operating under a restricted license. The district was not aware of the restrictions. Andreasen failed to report the conditions of her licensing to the district.

The attorney representing the district was at the meeting and said the school district had three options. Option 1 was to proceed with no discipline, option 2 was to reassign Andreasen to another position that would allow her to stay within the district and option 3 was termination or another form of discipline. If termination was chosen, just cause was required. According to the attorney, just cause for termination applies because Andreasen could not fulfill her duties and put the district in jeopardy for operating with restrictions on the license for supervision. 

“This issue put the integrity of WIN Academy and the district in jeopardy by demonstrating dishonesty and an inability to fulfill the supervisory requirements of her position,” stated Superintendent Chip Rankin. The board unanimously moved to terminate Andreasen’s employment with the district.

In other actions the board accepted donations totaling $18,445 towards the robotics team, yearbook, RIF, the music trip, the angel account and the Washington DC trip. They also reviewed the bills and financial reports.

Action by the board to hire a social studies teacher and junior high baseball coach, a vocal music teacher, an assistant girls’ golf coach, a middle school principal and an emotional and behavioral technician was approved as well as the retirement of Marit Salveson, Art teacher and Laurie Zink, Special Education teacher. 

The board approved the 2023-2025 Minnesota Teachers Association Master Agreement and opted to contract with Green Lawns for fertilizer and chemical care of the facilities. A bid for internet service and replacement of wireless access points from Starbuck Telephone was approved. 

The next meeting of the MAS school board will be on Monday, April 15 at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom

By Kris Goracke

Reporter