Duluth school board elects officers, adopts routine governance resolutions at organizational meeting

The Duluth Public School District board convened its organizational meeting and sworn-in ceremony, electing officers for 2026 and approving a slate of routine governance resolutions.

Kelly Durek Eder recited the oath of office as newly elected chair, saying, "I, Kelly Durek Eder, do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of The United States and the constitution of the state of Minnesota, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the member of the school board of Independent School District number 709, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, to the best of my judgment and ability." Jill Lofeld, Rosie Loefflercamp and Amber Sadowsky also affirmed the oath.

The board elected officers for 2026 by open roll-call vote. With no additional nominations, the temporary chair declared Kelly Durek Eder elected chair and Jill Lofeld elected vice chair. Amber Sadowsky was elected treasurer; the board announced Member Mike Cassell as clerk and appointed Simone Zunich, the executive director of business services and operations, as deputy clerk.

In its business session the board approved a package of routine resolutions. Members set the regular meetings for the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the District Service Center, with a weather-related backup day to be the next day at the same time. The board designated Harbor Pointe Credit Union, North Shore Bank of Commerce, BMO Harris Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo as depositories for district funds for one year beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and specified collateral requirements for those deposits.

When a board member asked whether the downtown closure of Wells Fargo would pose an issue for the district's banking arrangements, Member Mike Sell replied, "It is not an issue."

The board also delegated authority to the executive director of business services and finance to designate district employees to initiate electronic funds transfers as required by statute, and granted the superintendent and the executive director of business services and operations authority to sign contracts and grants up to $100,000, with a requirement that a list of such approvals be presented as an informational item at the next regular meeting.

The board approved a list of outside law firms as district legal counsel and designated the Duluth News Tribune as the district's official newspaper. Members adopted a resolution endorsing the "11 tools of civility" promoted by the Speak Your Peace civility project and approved continued participation of student school board representatives from Denfeld High School, Duluth East High School and the Area Learning Center for the 2026 term (Jan. 5–Dec. 31, 2026).

Finally, the board authorized Superintendent John Magus to act as the district's identified official to manage Minnesota Department of Education system access and then adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance • Amendment to agenda to pull resolution HR 1-26-41-52 (employment of a school board member): amended and agenda adopted. • Resolution setting regular meeting dates and times: approved. • Resolution designating bank depositories and collateral: approved. • Resolution delegating EFT authority: approved. • Resolution authorizing contract/grant signature authority up to $100,000: approved. • Resolution selecting district legal counsel: approved. • Resolution naming the Duluth News Tribune as official newspaper: approved. • Resolution accepting the "11 tools of civility": approved. • Resolution approving student school board representatives for 2026: approved. • Resolution designating identified official (Iowa) and assigning John Magus: approved.

The meeting concluded with no further discussion and an adjournment motion that carried.