The timeline to find a leader for Independent School District No. 361 is dwindling.
With a little more than two months until Falls Superintendent Nordy Nelson's contract expires June 30, the Falls School Board has only just begun the process of finding his replacement.
While the board has narrowed its search to three candidates – two local and one from Grand Marais – interviews have repeatedly been slid to the back burner. They are now tentatively scheduled for April 22 or 23 to “allow for full board attendance.”
The reason for the delay? According to board Chairman Gordy Dault, the absence of board member Darrell “Boxer” Wagner since the Jan. 27 special meeting has stood as a roadblock in the process.
While Dault declined any further comment, Wagner told The Journal he's missed the last five meetings, including special meetings, because he's been on vacation.
“I wanted to resign before I left before vacation,” he admitted, adding after discussing the option with the superintendent, Nelson advised Wagner to continue his term that expires this year.
Community members have expressed concern to The Journal that in the midst of finding a new superintendent and the board making cuts, it is critical Wagner be present during meetings.
Later this month, the board will face decisions on what areas cuts will need to be made to help the district offset the loss of about $500,000 from a declining enrollment. It has been an ongoing process since last November with a series of monthly special meetings to help determine a decision for the board.
When asked if Wagner has stayed up-to-date on what the board has been faced with, he said he makes daily calls to Nelson and “talks to Gordy all the time.”
“I'll be back in plenty of time to make final decisions on cuts,” he said. “And, I'm always available for people to call if they have concerns.”
Wagner, who has served as a board member for 15 years, defended himself and said he is allowed to miss meetings – and he is correct.
Greg Abbott, communications director for the Minnesota School Board Association, said according to state law, board members are allowed 90 days of consecutive absence. After that, a board can declare a position vacant and replace the member. As of today, Wagner has only been absent 56 days.
“I wanted to Skype into a lot of the meetings, but there is no wireless Internet in the (Falls High School) cafeteria,” Wagner said.
And, there has been speculation from the public that Wagner is no longer a resident of Koochiching County.
“I live in the Falls,” he confirmed. “But I won't be running again (in November).”
Superintendent search
Nelson, who has been with the district since 2012, previously told The Journal he will leave International Falls to pursue his St. Cloud-based consulting business part time after his contract expires June 30. Before he leaves, however, he said he will help his successor transition into the role.
That is, if there is enough time.
The board so far in its search for Nelson's successor has narrowed a list of potential candidates down to three – Gwen Carman, Kevin Grover and Beth Shermoen.
- Gwen Carman - according to the Minnesota Department of Education, Carman is licensed for the following positions: pre-kindergarten, elementary education, district superintendent, K-12 principal, community education director and early childhood special education. She is now an elementary principal for Cook County Schools district No. 166 in Grand Marais, Minn.
- Kevin Grover – according to the Minnesota Department of Education, Grover is licensed for the following positions: mathematics teacher, district superintendent and K-12 principal. He now serves as dean of students and athletic director at Falls High School.
- Beth Shermoen – according to the Minnesota Department of Education, Shermoen is licensed to teach elementary education and communication arts/literature. She is working to secure her principal and superintendent license. Shermoen is a sixth-grade teacher at West End Elementary School.
