Union Victory: I WON my job back!

I was unjustly terminated from my job after dedicating years to the District. Just one week into the school year, I received the news.

My name is Lauren Gronewold, and I’m a former Elementary Secretary with almost 6 years of experience. I was accused of not completing tasks that were never part of my job description — like updating the District’s student information system, PowerSchool. This responsibility had always belonged to the IT Director in previous years. I never received any notice or communication from administration or the Board of Education assigning it to me.

Even though the end-of-year reporting to PowerSchool wasn’t part of my duties, I was willing to help however I could. But without proper training or guidance, I struggled to complete tasks that were well outside my role. Despite that, I was suspended for not updating PowerSchool and then disciplined for “not doing my job” while I was suspended.

It felt like I was walking on eggshells. I didn’t feel respected or supported by the District.

That’s when I decided to stand up for myself. I contacted my union representative and filed for arbitration to challenge my wrongful termination. Thanks to my union and the power of collective bargaining, I won my job back.