Cabiness spoke up after the board made its decision.
“We can’t discuss what is heard at a confidential hearing,” noted Superintendent Russ Mikel, when asked what the exact reasons for the dismissal were afterward. An attorney, Ralph Huff of Jones Huff and Jones, Plymouth was retained to represent the board and Mark Wagner, school attorney told those present at the meeting’s start that they could not present evidence or argue the case” as “this is not a reopening of a hearing.”
Weidner, who has been an administrator at Bremen for 12 years, handed out a press release and was advised not to comment any more by her attorney.
“As an administrator, one has to work with various types of people, their personalities, their beliefs and their situations,” it read.
“Sometimes one has to do what is necessary to assist a child. The hope is that this situation helps others in the future,” Weidner said.
Weidner and her husband, Craig, were present for the meeting, sitting in the front row with more than 30 people present in favor of retaining her as a school employee. Most were teachers and employees of Bremen Public Schools who commented on the matter at the start of the meeting.
Rita Breiler, a retired former school employee, first told the board and Mikel that the board members were to serve the citizens of Bremen Public Schools under board policy.
“They are here because they have felt the board has not represented them in supporting their morale and perhaps they’re not really clear on what the citizens of Bremen are thinking.”
Lisa Langdon, a third grade teacher at the elementary, presented a statement to Mikel and also spoke in favor of Weidner.
“I don’t think you are going to find anyone anywhere that has more compassion for caring for kids than we have here with her. She has given more of her time and cared more about the Bremen kids, which are our kids, my kids and your kids, even more than herself. I think that needs to be said,” said Langdon.
Kathy Cabiness, who said she represented the citizens or Bremen, said that she maintained the board is “ultimately responsible first and foremost for what is best for the children over a long period of time. Amy Weidner is certainly what is best for kids. I would ask you to certainly consider what is best for the kids.”
    After listening, the board, taking the superintendent’s recommendation, dismissed Weidner.
One of the teachers, LuAnn Kolbe, who teaches third grade at Bremen Elementary  spoke at the end of the meeting when the floor was again opened for any other comments or matters.
“I like to urge you to come into our schools. Visit with the teachers, staff, the aides and anyone that is there. Talk to them. Listen to what they are feeling right now. They have a big morale issue; a trust is broken. Meet with them, meet with everybody and try to build this back up again,” said Kolbe.
When asked when the position would be filled, Mikel responded that he and Tracy Tredway, elementary K-5 principal, would meet and discuss it. He said a timeline would need to be established and he did not answer whether the position would be filled before the end of this school year.