WC Wisconsin News

Citing ongoing issues with district leadership, La Crosse School Board member Rob Abraham has resigned from the post he was elected to in the spring of 2021.

“My views and approach to change do not align with Superintendent (Aaron) Engel and the other members of the board,” Abraham told La Cross Tribune. “I understand that I stand alone.” He added that the current structure of the school board, which leaves much of the power and decision-making for the district in the hands of the superintendent, strikes him as a “dictatorship.”

Almost from the very beginning, Abraham butted heads with Engel. As the board’s newest member, Abraham openly raised concerns about leadership and what he perceived to be the board's questionable plans for the future.

Abraham’s departure comes as the district is prepping for a fall referendum that will determine if it can move forward with a $195 million plan to combine its two high schools at a new facility on the South Side, a plan that, to date, has been met with mixed reviews by residents across the community.

Earlier this month, Engel sent a letter to parents in the district warning them that if the referendum does not pass and alternative solutions aren’t found, all high school students may have to attend classes at the existing Central High School building.

With Engel having now directed all questions to board president Juan Jimenez, the president thanked Abraham, adding that his concern for the district was apparent.

In being the only board member to oppose the referendum at a vote last month, Abraham blasted the proposal as an “alarming alternative” and questioned the motives behind the letter.

“Wherever you stand on consolidating our high schools, it’s inexcusable to present this poor alternative to place pressure on the referendum," Abraham said, according to the La Crosse Tribune.