Former Superintendent Sues Charles City School Board

Former Charles City Schools Superintendent Anne Lundquist is suing all current members of the School Board.

In April, Lundquist was placed on paid administrative leave amid allegations about, according to School Board David Schrodt, behavior that “raises questions about Dr. Lundquist’s fitness for duty and ability to serve as an employee of the Charles City Community School District.”

Lundquist, who was set to retire at the end of this school year on June 30th, never returned to her post.

The district initially utilized Central Rivers AEA for administrative support until Brian Burnight took over as Superintendent June 3rd. Officially, he’s on a temporary arrangement until his full-time, two-year contract begins with the new school year on July 1st.

Lundquist has filed a lawsuit against all five school board members: Schrodt, Bruce Koebrick, Dara Jaeger, Kathryn Fox and Josh Mack. 

According to court documents, on Thursday, April 18, 2024, on a school district copy machine, Lundquist was making copies of “private evaluation comments” regarding some school employees when a copy of a portion of the notes were left on the machine. Those notes were found by someone and presented to Schrodt, who then proceeded to contact other Board members, allegedly in violation of open meetings laws. The next day Lundquist was suspended.

Lundquist’s petition also claims that those actions have damaged her 35-year reputation in school education and “embarrassed her in her home community where she moved to retire.” 

She is pursuing “damages in a fair and reasonable sum and for punitive damages.” She has also requested a jury trial.

No counter motions have been filed by the school district.