Forest Lake school board accepts five finalists to fill vacant seat, outlines plan for final selection

The Forest Lake Public School District board voted Wednesday to accept five finalists to fill a vacancy left by former member Haglund and discussed how the board will choose one appointee at its next meeting.

"I will move to accept the following individuals as additional finalists for the appointment to fill the current board vacancy," said Speaker 2, the board chair, as the names were read. The chair listed Jim Smith, Andy Kournia (transcription variants recorded), Daniel Tuat, and Scott Dobosinski; the board also noted that Mrs. Durango remains a finalist despite being unable to interview because she was the next-highest vote-getter in the 2024 election. The motion to accept the finalists carried after members expressed no objections.

Board members spent the remainder of the special meeting clarifying how the Dec. 4 selection will proceed. Several members asked whether the board will use informal shows of hands or formal motions to narrow the field before making a final appointment. "We could have several rounds of voting that aren't done through motions," Speaker 2 said, adding that the only official vote will be on a written resolution once a candidate appears able to secure a majority.

One board member, Speaker 3, urged more open discussion and criticized a prior two-speaking limit: "People have said that they don't feel like their vote is being heard," Speaker 3 said, arguing for more opportunity to speak during the selection. Speaker 2 responded that the two-speaking limitation applies only to official motions at the table and described a process of informal narrowing followed by a final resolution.

Legal and procedural constraints were also reviewed. The chair referenced a resolution passed on Nov. 20 that, in the chair's reading, makes the selection a special order of business that must be disposed of before other items on the agenda. A staff member or advisor (Speaker 4) told the board that a motion to table a special order of business is possible but requires a two-thirds vote, and that tabling could be used if the board reaches an impasse so other time-sensitive items can proceed.

Board members noted other pressing items on the agenda for the following meeting, including the tax levy and audit-related matters, and urged colleagues to review candidate materials and interview notes in advance so the board can reach consensus. With no further discussion, members moved to adjourn.

The board did not take a roll-call vote on the finalists in this special session; the motion to accept the finalists was adopted by voice vote with no recorded dissent. The formal appointment of one finalist is scheduled to be decided at the board's next meeting.