St. Cloud school board approves consent items; appoints Heather Weems as cler k and fills vacant seat by appointment

The St. Cloud Public School District Board of Education on Feb. 5 approved routine consent items, confirmed a new board clerk and adopted a resolution filling a vacant board seat, following the Jan. 30 resignation of board member Bruce Henchs.

Board members voted to approve the consent agenda items B through F, including monthly financial and treasurer reports for December 2024, a request for proposals for audit services, and an Apollo Theater improvements change order totaling $3,000. The motion to approve those items passed on a roll-call vote with all present members voting yes.

The board then approved item A (personnel/staff changes) after Heather Weems recused herself from that vote. The motion to adopt item A passed with a roll-call vote of five in favor and none opposed; Weems did not participate in the tally.

The board nominated and voted to appoint Heather Weems as board clerk for the year. The motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Finally, the board adopted a resolution to fill the vacancy caused by Bruce Henchs's resignation by appointing L. Dahlgren to serve until a successor is elected and qualified. The resolution cites Minnesota Statutes section 123B.09, subd. 5(b), and states the appointment is effective 30 days after adoption unless a valid petition to reject the appointee is filed with the district clerk during that period. Board members confirmed they had contacted the prospective appointee and that he had agreed to accept the appointment if approved. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Board members discussed timing for a special election to permanently fill the seat. Administration advised the seat must be filled by special election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November; until that special election, the appointee serves under the statute. Staff said they are awaiting guidance from the Minnesota Secretary of State on whether a primary would be required for the special election and noted November is the most likely financially practical option to allow potential cost-sharing with other elections.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve consent agenda items B–F (monthly financial/treasurer reports, RFP for audit services, Apollo Theater change order $3,000). Mover: Natalie Copeland; Second: Scott Andresen. Tally: Shannon Haas—yes; Heather Weems—yes; Scott Andresen—yes; Natalie Copeland—yes; Zach Dorholt—yes; Diana Fenton—yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion: Approve consent agenda item A (personnel/staff changes) with Heather Weems recused. Mover: Scott Andresen; Second: Natalie Copeland. Tally: Zach Dorholt—yes; Natalie Copeland—yes; Scott Andresen—yes; Shannon Haas—yes; Diana Fenton—yes; Heather Weems—recused/absent from vote. Outcome: approved.

- Motion: Appoint Heather Weems as board clerk. Mover: (nominator on floor). Tally: Shannon Haas—yes; Diana Fenton—yes; Zach Dorholt—yes; Natalie Copeland—yes; Scott Andresen—yes; Heather Weems—yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion: Adopt resolution filling school board vacancy by appointment (appoint L. Dahlgren pursuant to Minn. Stat. 123B.09, subd. 5(b)). Mover: Scott Andresen; Second: Heather Weems. Tally: Scott Andresen—yes; Natalie Copeland—yes; Zach Dorholt—yes; Diana Fenton—yes; Shannon Haas—yes; Heather Weems—yes. Outcome: approved; appointment effective 30 days after adoption unless a valid petition is filed.

Administration said the board will schedule or confirm steps required to post the appointment and to comply with the 30-day petition process under state law. The board signed the resolution following the vote.