The report commissioned to investigate my activity on the Duluth School Board was written by a hired gun of the school district. Its negative, biased content was predictable and expected. But what was surprising was that the News Tribune trumpeted it as gospel rather than political hogwash (“Johnston probe finds intimidation, abuse,” Nov. 21).

Even as unprofessional as it was, the report found no basis for assault, no conflict of interest and no racist comments. Instead, the report gushed about conclusions of “abuse” while failing to deliver any evidence other than hearsay. It never even tried to define what the investigator meant by using such a word.

And the report repeatedly declared that I violated School Board policy, such as when it stated that my actions “constituted a public refusal to support the Superintendent.” It should be obvious, but apparently must be repeated, that criticizing the superintendent is not a crime. It is one of the things we are expected to do as elected School Board members and as part of a society that believes in freedom of speech.

When one of my constituents calls me with a problem (a frequent occurrence), I look into the issue and respond as is appropriate to help mitigate the issue. I listen to all members of the community, no matter what their position, ethnic background, economic status or family situation. I am told I am one of the few board members who regularly responds to emails.

A member of my family, someone I’ve loved for 15 years, works for the district in a low-paying job, helping out the most medically challenged special education students. She enjoys her work and is loved by her students. After my re-election last year, she started noticing she was being repeatedly harassed by the district administration, apparently because of her relationship with me. Over time I did some fact-finding and tried to defuse the situation. But her harassment continues to this day. For my advocacy on her part and on behalf of her students, the superintendent accused me of assault.

I can understand if I’ve seemed agitated at times when advocating for a family member. I might have used my outdoor voice. If others took offense at these actions, I am sorry. But there is nothing illegal about a School Board member advocating for a family member who is being harassed for no good reason. In fact, most people would look at such an act as honorable; some would even say it’s a moral imperative.

One suspects that this whole fiasco, the incendiary words (like “assault” and “racist”), and the tens of thousands of dollars we expect will be spent on lawyers is simply the administration’s attempt to divert attention from the real problems that face the district. I want to talk about those problems, including all the teacher jobs we’ve eliminated, all the students who have left our schools, the large class sizes, the disparity in curriculum and in test scores between eastern and western Duluth schools, the racism in our schools, and our large and unacceptable achievement gap. I was the only board member in 2013 who expressed concern about the dismal financial condition that pushed us toward statutory operating debt and that resulted in the raising of our taxes.

There is no doubt the Duluth School Board and administration are dysfunctional. I formally have advocated for a parliamentarian to help with meetings. I have advocated for civility training or mediators to help us. But the superintendent and board continue to refuse such help. Instead they blame me for the audacity of expressing concerns about how we operate.

I will continue to represent the district’s 4th District and do my due diligence to assure financial accountability. I will continue to stand up for people who are being treated poorly by the district. And I will continue to expose the lack of leadership, the poor governance and the mismanagement that are rampant in the Duluth school district. That is why I was elected.

Art Johnston represents western Duluth’s 4th District on the Duluth School Board.