Ms Ryan received the leaked minutes via an email.
The original email was an internal communication sent by Wanganui Park SC assistant principal Xavier Tanner to school staff.
The meeting, which took place on May 21 last year, referenced a visit from education expert Mary-Jean Gallagher and her thoughts surrounding the Shepparton Education Plan.
Within the meeting minutes, it was suggested the teachers follow the approach of ‘public praise, private criticism’ when talking about the impending school merger.
It also encouraged the teachers to engage the community and “sell its value”.
“It’s still okay to criticise, but do so in the confines of your private conversations with other staff and look for solutions,” the minutes read.
“Large schools create opportunities to push excellence.”
Ms Ryan said she had personally spoken with teachers who believed the merger was the wrong outcome for the community and who were concerned there was no funding to build the new school.
“The arrogance in telling teachers that they must talk up this plan when many of them don’t agree with it is breathtaking,” she said.
“Many are staying silent because they know staff numbers will be reduced at the new school and they are worried about losing their jobs.”
Australian Education Union Victoria vice-president Marino D'Ortenzio said the union was in regular communication with local members.
"Mergers like this are complex and we are in regular communication with our members to make sure their concerns are directly raised with the department," Mr D'Ortenzio said.
"Our priority is to make sure that our principals, teachers and support staff are getting the support they need during this transition so that they can continue to provide high quality education to the students in Shepparton, Mooroopna and surrounding areas.
"We will continue to work with the school community and the department to make sure there is a smooth transition to the new school that benefits and supports the whole school community," he said.
A Department of Education and Training spokesman said there has been extensive consultation within the community.
“Principals at Shepparton’s four secondary schools regularly spoke to staff about the plan to ensure they were kept up to date, while staff were also invited to community information sessions and to provide feedback through online surveys," the spokesman said.
“Like any reform project conducted by any organisation, we wanted to create a space where staff could participate in informed conversations with people involved in the project.
"We wanted our teachers to provide their honest views, and to ensure their views were reflected in the development of the Shepparton Education Plan."
“We look forward to continuing the engagement with the Greater Shepparton community as we work to make the Shepparton Education Plan a reality.
The minutes referencing Ms Gallagher’s comments also suggest students should be given the opportunity to develop their own curriculum and states the major challenges include the creation of a new culture, development of agreed values and transition support for students currently in the higher year levels of primary school who many have to deal with several changes of schools.
