Zarasai art school director resigns citing pressure from municipality

The director of Zarasai’s Fausto Latėno Art School has resigned, stating she felt undue pressure from the local municipality, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reports.

Rasa Juškėnienė, who stepped down from her position, told LRT that the situation escalated after she wrote her master’s thesis last year on the emotional burden faced by institutional leaders. She claimed the pressure from Zarasai District Mayor Nijolė Guobienė intensified after the New Year, including demands to attend work-related events during her leave.

“I felt indirect, silent pressure,” Juškėnienė said. “The latest events only strengthened my sense of insecurity—realising that continuing to work rationally would only become harder.” She added that she was later asked to justify decisions, such as renting out school premises, despite earlier encouragement to engage in such activities.

Juškėnienė described the collaboration between municipal leaders and institutional heads as lacking proper dialogue. “I sensed a lack of mutual understanding,” she said. “There were unclear situations directed at me personally, which raised questions.”

Mayor Guobienė expressed regret over the resignation but denied knowledge of any pressure, stating that Juškėnienė had never raised such concerns before. “I respected her as a leader,” Guobienė said. “It’s strange she didn’t voice these feelings earlier.” She noted that the school had been accommodated with flexible work arrangements during Juškėnienė’s studies and that her performance had been positively evaluated.

Guobienė also disputed claims about project participation restrictions, emphasising that legal procedures—such as municipal council approval—must be followed for school initiatives.

The school’s deputy director, Irma Gineikienė, said the news of Juškėnienė’s departure shocked staff and students. “People were in tears,” she said. “She was an energetic, beloved director who united the team and organised wonderful activities. This is truly an exceptional loss.”