Forest Lake School Board Member Resigns, Raising Questions About Replacement Process
The Forest Lake Area School Board is facing a significant change with the resignation of school board member Luke Hagglund, effective Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Hagglund cited “personal reasons” for his decision to step down. His resignation has sparked a debate about the process of appointing his replacement, with some arguing that the board’s plan to vote on a resolution appointing Forest Lake resident Scot Doboszenski to fill the remainder of Hagglund’s term may be in violation of state law.
According to state law, a vacancy on the school board must be filled by appointment at a regular or special meeting. However, in this case, the board plans to vote on the appointment before Hagglund’s resignation is official, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the process. Attorney Jonathan Reiner, representing Education Minnesota and the Forest Lake Education Association, has questioned the board’s plan, stating that “only remaining members of the board may vote to fill the vacancy.”
Concerns About Transparency and Public Input
The Forest Lake Joint Coalition, a group founded to inform residents about policies at the school board level, has also expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and public input in the appointment process. Claire Luger, a member of the coalition, noted that the addition of the agenda item was made public with little notice, leaving no time for potential applicants to consider applying or for the public to learn about Doboszenski. Rich Elliot, president of the Forest Lake Education Association, echoed these concerns, stating that “this is someone who’s about to have significant input over our students’ education” and that the lack of transparency and public input is “concerning.”
Doboszenski, a retired U.S. Army colonel and licensed general contractor, has announced his intention to seek appointment to the school board. He has stated that he believes in “fostering collaboration between educators, families, and the community” and looks forward to contributing his skills and vision to the board. However, some have questioned the rushed nature of the appointment process, with school board member Gail Theisen planning to ask the board chair to switch the agenda item to the next main meeting to allow for more transparency and public input.
Precedent and Potential Consequences
The last time a school board member in Forest Lake resigned midterm was in 2003, when Rebecca Otto stepped down after being elected to the Minnesota House. In that case, the board followed a more traditional process, placing an ad in the local newspaper and holding a special meeting to interview candidates. The board’s decision to deviate from this process has raised concerns about potential consequences, including the possibility of a lawsuit. Reiner has stated that if the board “violates the law,” the Forest Lake Education Association has authorized Education Minnesota to file a writ of mandamus in Washington County District Court to order the board to comply with the relevant law.
The Minnesota School Boards Association has a list of steps outlined on its website for filling vacancies on school boards, including a sample application form and sample questions to ask potential applicants. Luger has noted that the association’s guidance is reflective of state statutes and that the board should follow these guidelines to ensure a transparent and fair process. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the board will proceed and what consequences may arise from their decision.
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Curt Rebelein (Courtesy photo)
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