Board approves three district hires after members press for change to hiring process

The Manitowoc School District Board of Education approved a personnel report that included three recommended hires after a short public discussion and a voice vote.

Superintendent-level staff member Michael, presenting the personnel report, said, "Stacy O'Fallon has been recommended as the next director of e to g resources," and described the background of the other two recommended candidates, saying Nathan Milke "has been recommended as our next director of business services" and that Lainie Longmire "is being recommended for the Washington Middle School principal position." Michael said the hires were expected to begin July 1, pending the board's approval.

The vote approved the personnel report by voice. One trustee said they would vote no because they objected to the timing and order in which finalists were announced; the motion nevertheless passed after members responded to the voice call.

Why it matters: Trustees raised procedural concerns that could affect hiring transparency and the board's role. Multiple members said the district should change how finalists are presented so the board can provide input before candidates are publicly announced or offered positions. Trustees asked that the district's Policy and Personnel Committee propose language to formalize board input on administrative hires.

Discussion: Several board members said the problem was not the candidates — which presenters described as well-qualified — but the sequence: staff had recommended finalists publicly before the board had an opportunity for pre-offer input. One trustee said they intended to move the matter to the personnel committee to develop a better process and suggested the committee consider whether closed-session review would ever be appropriate; another trustee reported the district attorney advised that some discussions could not be held in closed session.

Direction and outcome: The board approved the personnel report (voice vote) and directed the personnel committee to review and recommend changes to the board's process for presenting and approving finalists for key administrative positions. The board did not take separate formal action to delay or change the hires; the recommendations will move forward as approved unless the personnel committee develops and the board adopts a policy change.

Details and context: Michael told trustees that Nathan Milke is "three classes away" from completing the district licensing the board requires for business services directors and that the board would grant a one-year, board-approved license while Mr. Milke finishes certification. Michael described Stacy O'Fallon as a former district employee who worked at Jefferson and Madison elementary schools before serving at CESA 7 and being recommended to return to the district. Lainie Longmire was described as a current assistant principal at Lincoln High School with prior experience as a special education teacher, dean and assistant principal.

Next steps: The personnel committee will review the hiring-presentation process and return recommendations to the full board; the hires approved on the personnel report proceed per the district's normal onboarding and certification timelines unless the board or legal counsel takes further action.