To: Hastings ISD 200 School Board of Education Members

We, the parents of children who are attending or have attended Hastings ISD 200 Schools, former students, current students, and community members who share similar concerns, have composed this letter to express our dissatisfaction with the current Superintendent, Robert McDowell.  We ask the Hastings School Board, who are elected by and represent the families and stakeholders in the Hastings School District, not to renew or add an extension to the Superintendent contract between Hastings Public Schools and Robert McDowell.

We understand the severity of this request and do not arrive at it hastily. There is widespread public dissatisfaction with the current ISD200 District Superintendent.  Hastings School District has always been a district to be proud of, one where decisions were made respectfully and on a collaborative basis, with the best interest of our students in mind.  

Throughout the past few school years, there have been concerns raised as to Superintendent McDowell’s leadership regarding trust, collaboration, decision making, vision, student success and academic performance, lack of respect for our educators and parents, and his inability to consistently create positive working relationships with school board directors, staff members, and the community.

Superintendent McDowell has shown a history of not resolving concerns and providing nonresponsive answers.  He has approved of sexually explicit material to be available to our children on school grounds, without parental consent.  He admittedly has not ensured proper updates are done to District Contracts and legal documents, therefore putting us at risk. He has portrayed levels of insubordination and been engaged in continued unfair treatment, belittling and disrespectfulness to certain members of the School Board.  This level of unprofessionalism should not be tolerated as the standard of a Superintendent in our Hastings ISD200 School District.

Robert McDowell has created an environment of divisiveness and intimidation that makes educators and parents fearful to speak out on behalf of our children and community. We know the lack of cohesiveness and this level of community unrest is not typical of our Hastings School District and Dakota County history. And we know none of what has transpired is in the best interest of students.

Therefore, due to these events of turmoil in our district, and for the overall well-being of our children and educators, we sincerely request that Robert McDowell’s contract NOT be renewed or extended.  On behalf of the community that you represent, thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

-Parents and Community of Hastings, MN