Mäntyharju abolishes education director post amid disputes over school transport

The municipality of Mäntyharju has eliminated the position of education director and terminated its holder, Sari Aarniokoski, citing financial and operational reasons—but the dismissed official claims the decision stems from personal conflicts tied to school transport disputes, reports Finnish broadcaster Yle.

Aarniokoski, who served as Mäntyharju’s education director from 2020 to 2025, filed an appeal with the Eastern Finland Administrative Court to overturn the decision, arguing her dismissal was personally motivated. She also submitted a rectification request to the municipal council in February, which was rejected on Monday. However, the council instructed the municipal manager, Juho Järvenpää, to explore a settlement to avoid prolonged litigation.

“We want to determine whether it’s possible to resolve this administrative dispute through mutual agreement,” Järvenpää said. The goal is to prevent a costly and drawn-out legal process.

The controversy follows Mäntyharju’s merger with Pertunmaa in early 2025, after which the education director’s duties were transferred to the principal of the local adult education centre. The abolition of the post was approved by a 10–1 vote in the merger board.

Aarniokoski’s administrative complaint links her dismissal to disputes over Mäntyharju’s school transport tenders and changes to the application process. She claims the issues were “personalised” against her and notes she filed a police report over threatening behaviour by a resident. Between 2024 and 2025, parents lodged multiple complaints with the Administrative Court and the Regional State Administrative Agency over missing or poorly justified transport decisions, some of which were later returned for reprocessing.

The municipality acknowledged in its response that delays and unclear procedures in managing school transport had led to complaints and appeals.