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Superintendent Rupak Gandhi to leave June 5; interim appointment and consultant days approved
Summary
The board accepted Superintendent Rupak Gandhi's resignation effective June 5, appointed Dr. Robert Gross interim superintendent June 6'30, and authorized up to eight paid work days for Dr. Corey Steiner between now and June 30.
The Fargo Board of Education accepted the resignation of Superintendent Rupak Gandhi, effective June 5, and appointed Dr. Robert Gross as interim superintendent from June 6 through June 30, the board announced April 15.
Board members said Gandhi informed the board that his June schedule required extended time away; accepting the earlier resignation will allow him personal time and avoid gaps in leadership. Robin (board member) moved the resignation acceptance; Jason Nelson seconded. The resignation passed on a 9'to'0 roll call.
To maintain operational continuity through the fiscal-year end, the board appointed Dr. Robert Gross as interim superintendent for the period June 6'30; the motion passed 9'0. The board also approved compensation for Dr. Corey Steiner, described in the meeting as a superintendent in another district, to work up to eight paid days "between now and June 30, 2025," compensated at a prorated daily rate based on his 2025'26 salary. The board approved that motion and a Greg amendment to widen the allowable dates, and the final approval was unanimous (9'0).
Why it matters: The changes bridge leadership from Gandhi's departure to the start of the district's next administrative cycle and provide limited paid consulting days for Dr. Steiner to work with district staff during the transition. Trustees and administrators said the measures were planned to avoid operational disruption during end'of'year fiscal and administrative tasks.
Board comments and process: Gandhi thanked the cabinet and staff and said the shift was coordinated to avoid gaps. Board member Melissa moved the interim appointment and said the cabinet would support Gross during June. Dr. Gandhi and trustees noted calendar and vacation considerations as the impetus for timing; board policy EL'2 was cited as the basis for appointing an interim superintendent if no successor is in place.
Clarifying details: The resignation effective date is June 5, 2025. Interim appointment dates are June 6'30, 2025. The authorization for Dr. Steiner provides up to eight paid working days between the meeting date and June 30, 2025, at a prorated daily rate tied to his 2025'26 salary; the board recorded no additional compensation details beyond "prorated daily rate." Trustees amended the original motion to allow the days "between now and June 30" rather than only in June.
Ending: Trustees said they will coordinate with the cabinet and the incoming superintendent search process and that the cabinet will manage day'to'day operations through the short interim period.
