District administrators reviewed the play and "it was decided that the play would not be performed." Another play was nixed the next school year.

When addressing trustees, Kramlich opened his presentation citing the play, saying it hadn't been cast yet.

"I don't even know where the lesbians came into play," he said. When asked by Trustee Janna Hafer when he felt harassment by administrators started, he identified the play's rejection.

When asked why Kramlich earned tenure and the district didn't attempt to terminate his employment for several years after documented problems emerged, SD2 lawyer Jeana Lervick, who previously served as director of Human Resources for the district, cited attempts to improve Kramlich's teaching that took several years.

"It's extremely unusual to get to this point," she said. "But it does not mean that nothing was being done up until this point."

Five trustees voted unanimously to fire Kramlich. Trustee Joe Oravecz attended most of the hearing but was absent for the vote, and trustees Mike Leo, Tanya Ludwig and Gordon Klasna did not attend.

"It's very, very tough to be here," said board chairwoman Greta Besch Moen. "(But) it's a pattern that has spanned years. It's spanned administrators."