Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel.hiring topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent Brelno resigns; board approves interim route and interview of MSBA-recommended candidate
Summary
The WEST CENTRAL AREA School Board accepted Superintendent Brelno’s resignation and voted to pursue an interim superintendent, agreeing to interview an MSBA-recommended candidate as soon as next week and to post a wider search if the candidate is not a fit.
The WEST CENTRAL AREA School Board voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Brelno and agreed to pursue an interim superintendent, directing the chair to contact an MSBA-recommended candidate for a prompt interview.
Superintendent Brelno, who the board said has led the district for four years, told the board he was grateful for the opportunity to serve. “I thank you guys for your support and the time over the past 4 years. It's been an honor to serve the district,” Brelno said, and offered to assist during the transition.
The board then discussed how to fill the vacancy. The chair outlined two paths: run a conventional external search—typically posted for six weeks and taking about three months—or engage an interim candidate recommended by the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) executive search committee that the board could contract for one to three years. The chair described the MSBA-recommended candidate as vetted and previously a finalist in other districts.
Board members stressed the need to vet any interim hire. “I'm fine with moving forward with an interim position. I'm not okay with moving forward without speaking to the candidate first,” said Darren, who argued the board should interview the recommended candidate before deciding whether to post a broader search. Members also discussed including contract language that would allow either party to exit the arrangement before a term’s completion, to protect both the district and the hire.
The board agreed to attempt a full-board interview next week (the chair said Monday or Tuesday evening would be the earliest feasible times) and to post the interview notice within the 72-hour public-notice window required for a full-board meeting if the interview is scheduled. If the interview does not produce a hire the board finds acceptable, members said they would post a wider search for candidates and consider MSBA assistance vetting any additional applicants.
The motion to pursue the interim route and arrange a meeting with the MSBA-recommended candidate passed on an oral vote. The chair said he would contact the candidate, try to set up an interview before graduation, and circulate posting information to the board as needed.
The meeting concluded with the board directing staff to proceed with outreach and to add hiring decisions to the next Wednesday agenda if the candidate interview proceeds and the board chooses to act then.
