New Prague Area Schools board appoints Anne Christie to fill vacancy

The New Prague Area Schools board appointed Anne Christie to fill a vacant school board seat at a special meeting after one candidate withdrew due to a family medical emergency.

Board member Andy read part of an email from the candidate Jonathan, saying, "I have to withdraw my consideration for the open school board position due to an unforeseen family medical emergency," and the board recessed before interviewing Christie.

Christie, a retired teacher who said she was born and raised in New Prague and earned a bachelor's and master's in education and a graduate-level STEM certificate from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, answered a set of questions from board members during the interview. The panel ran through 10 questions in two rounds; Dan began the questioning. Christie described her short-term priorities as addressing the findings of a community task force, improving communication with taxpayers, and clarifying funding for maintenance and security projects identified by that task force. She said long-term priorities include planning for projected enrollment declines and maintaining educational quality through creative programming and delivery models.

In the interview Christie cited funding as the district's biggest challenge, noting two failed referendums that she said led to budget cuts including reductions in physical education, increased class sizes, changes in the middle-school educational model and transportation adjustments. Christie said she has attended board meetings for more than three years, has organized community-focused projects (including a Cardboard Box City for student civic engagement and a Guatemala immersion trip), and volunteers with Southern Valley Alliance in Shakopee. She told the board, "I hope that you've heard in my voice tonight that I really do have a vested interest in the district," and said she has time to serve and experience she believes are useful for the role.

After a short board discussion in which multiple members expressed support for Christie’s experience and responses, a motion to appoint Christie was made and seconded. The board approved the appointment by voice vote; the meeting record shows ayes and no roll-call tally was taken. The chair congratulated Christie, and the board adjourned the special meeting. The board announced its next regular meeting at 6 p.m.

The appointment follows the withdrawal of Jonathan (first name only in the record) earlier the same day; the district held a recess and then proceeded with Christie’s interview. The district did not provide a roll-call vote or numerical tally in the transcript of the special meeting.