Fargo board renames Longfellow room for longtime principal, awards construction contract, recognizes teachers’ bargaining unit and approves superintendent deal

The Fargo Board of Education, meeting in regular session that began at 5:30 p.m., unanimously approved a set of personnel, facilities and labor actions, including renaming a Longfellow Elementary room for former principal Kathy Stegman and approving a two‑year superintendent contract that begins July 1, 2025.

The board voted 9‑0 to approve the two‑year contract with Doctor Corey J. Steiner, which the board president said had been offered unanimously earlier and was signed by Steiner. The contract takes effect July 1, 2025.

Why it matters: the contract formalizes district leadership for the coming school years and was the most consequential personnel action on the agenda.

Board members also voted 9‑0 to recognize the Fargo Education Association as the representative negotiating unit for a specified class of certificated classroom teachers under North Dakota Century Code 15.1‑16‑10, effective April 1, 2025, for at least one year. Jackie, the presenting staff member, told the board that petition signatures met statutory requirements and no contests were filed.

Facilities work: the board approved (9‑0) a recommendation to award construction management at‑risk services for the district’s next facilities maintenance package to Gertz Construction. James Hand, introducing the item, said the selection committee — constituted as required by state statute — interviewed three firms and recommended Gertz. "The recommendation after reviewing proposals and interview was for Gertz Construction to be the construction manager at risk," Hand said. He said the selected firm will work with district staff to refine scopes and budgets ahead of construction expected to begin next summer; no contract dollar amount was provided in the meeting packet.

Honorary naming: In a separate item the board approved (9‑0) a request from Longfellow Elementary to rename a room in honor of Kathy Stegman, who served as Longfellow principal for 19 years and is credited with establishing the school’s RAISE room ("Reaching Academic, Adaptive and Independent Skills in Education"). Principal Eric Hendrickson, representing the Longfellow committee and family members in attendance, described Stegman as "a strong advocate for children with special needs," and read memories from former students and staff about her leadership and community involvement. Allied board members and former PTA volunteers described Stegman as a leader who involved families in school projects and as someone who made many people feel like friends.

Other routine business: the board approved the consent agenda and an earlier motion to adopt the meeting agenda with the human capital addendum, each by 9‑0 voice vote. Trustees heard administrative reports on strategic and operational planning; Dr. Gandhi said administration is refining measures and requested additional time to finalize a streamlined set of priority goals, which will return to the board at subsequent meetings.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of meeting agenda (with human capital addendum): passed 9‑0 (motion moved by Greg; second by Namal). - Consent agenda (including human capital actions): passed 9‑0 (moved by Namal; second Allie). - Memo 86 — Rename a Longfellow room for Kathy Stegman: passed 9‑0 (moved by Allie; second Robin). Principal Eric Hendrickson presented historical materials and family members attended. - Memo 87 — Award construction management at‑risk services to Gertz Construction for the facilities maintenance project: passed 9‑0 (moved by Nikki; second Jason). Selection followed an RFQ/interview process with three firms. - Memo 88 — Recognition of the Fargo Education Association as the negotiating unit pursuant to North Dakota Century Code 15.1‑16‑10 (effective 04/01/2025 for at least one year): passed 9‑0 (moved by Allie; second Nikki). Petition signatures met statutory requirements and no contests were filed. - Memo 89 — Approval of a two‑year superintendent contract with Doctor Corey J. Steiner commencing 07/01/2025: passed 9‑0 (moved by Robin; second Allie). The contract was signed and presented to the board.

What the board said: Eric Hendrickson, Longfellow principal, asked trustees to approve the honorary naming and summarized Stegman’s work: "Kathy was a strong advocate for children with special needs," he said. James Hand, presenting the facilities item, described the next steps: the district and the selected construction manager will review scopes, budgets and prioritization before work begins.

Meeting context and next steps: trustees discussed policy and staffing transitions as the district finalizes strategic and operational plans; administration requested extra time to hone measures that will guide resource allocation. The board president noted committee updates and travel logistics for trustees; the board adjourned at 6:07 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 8.

(Reporting based on verbatim public meeting transcript of the Fargo Board of Education.)