The Forest Lake Area Schools board recently identified three finalists to fill a key vacancy after an extensive series of meetings. This decision followed a challenging eight-hour session on December 4, 2023, during which the board struggled to reach consensus on a candidate and was unable to conduct other essential business.
During a subsequent session on December 6, board member Jill Christenson described the previous meeting as “extremely difficult.” She emphasized that trust among board members had been affected by the prolonged discussions that extended until the early hours of the morning. The board was unable to proceed with filling the vacancy due to disagreements over the language in a resolution adopted on November 20, which outlined the process for selecting a new member.
In the December 6 meeting, the board unanimously rescinded the November 20 resolution, allowing candidates to advance if they secured at least four votes. The finalists selected for the position are Andi Courneya, Princesa Hansen, and Paul Pease. Candidates Scot Doboszenski, Laura Ndirangu, and Jim Smith were eliminated from consideration due to insufficient support during the previous meeting. Additionally, Kenneth Rutford and Daniel Tuott were removed from the list after receiving fewer than four votes.
Board member Tessa Antonsen expressed gratitude to all applicants for their patience throughout what has been a challenging process. “I know this has probably been a long week of not really knowing what’s happening,” she stated, acknowledging the public’s interest and involvement in the selection process.
Members of the board offered apologies to those who witnessed the tension during the December 4 meeting. Gail Theisen highlighted the need for a more positive atmosphere, noting, “We’re here for our students and our district, and we’re very passionate about that.”
Chairman Curt Rebelein addressed the difficulties of presiding over such contentious meetings, stating, “It’s much easier to preside over a meeting where there’s agreement rather than disagreement and gridlock.” He recognized the challenges posed by the earlier resolution and expressed hope that the current situation would facilitate a smoother process moving forward.
As the board looks to the next steps, Rebelein indicated that details would be defined by December 8, 2023, for presentation at the next board meeting scheduled for December 18. The board is now focused on fostering a constructive environment as they reflect on the selected finalists and prepare for the upcoming discussions.
