Williston Basin School District No. 7 board votes to offer superintendent post to Dr. Jason Germinson and move into executive session on contract talks

The Williston Basin School District No. 7 Board of Education voted unanimously at a special meeting to offer the district’s superintendent position to Dr. Jason Germinson and authorized the school board president to negotiate his contract. Immediately after, the board voted to hold an executive session to discuss negotiation strategy for an independent contract, citing North Dakota Century Code as the legal basis as it was read aloud during the meeting.

Board members said the decision followed interviews and a post-interview committee discussion that recommended hiring from within. A board member who participated in the interviews said, “I really enjoyed the process and the team that was involved,” and another board member said Germinson “has calmed the water, so to speak” during his time as interim superintendent, calling him “a source of stability.” The meeting transcript also records a letter of recommendation referenced from “Doctor Fosnott down in Bismarck.”

The motion to offer the position directed the board president to negotiate a contract; the mover of that motion was not identified in the public transcript and the motion was seconded. The roll-call vote recorded seven "aye" votes for the appointment. Board members named in the roll call included Barsh, Wheeler, Swint, Kilgore, Walston, Juntz and Brenner; each is recorded as voting "aye." The board then moved to an executive session, stating the reason as negotiating strategy and saying that an open discussion could harm the district’s bargaining position. That motion also passed on a unanimous roll call; the board recorded that the executive session would be recorded and that any final action would require a return to open session unless law specifically allows final action in closed session.

During remarks, several board members praised Germinson’s local ties and his interim leadership. One member referenced a recommendation letter from a Bismarck superintendent named in the transcript as Dr. Fosnott. No contract terms, salary figures or effective start date were given during the public portion of the meeting. The motion authorizing the president to negotiate was limited to authorization to negotiate; the transcript does not record a final signed contract or an announced effective date.

After the vote to enter executive session, the board asked members of the public attending the meeting to leave the room. The public portion of the meeting ended; the executive session was recorded, per the board’s statement, and the board reminded members that any collective decision or final action must occur in open session unless specifically permitted by law.