Board approves superintendent's evaluation and a two-year, 80% FTE contract

The Lake of the Woods School Board voted on June 24 to approve the superintendent's evaluation and a two-year contract that reduces the superintendent role to 80% of full-time and attaches a memorandum of understanding for buildings-and-grounds duties.

Board members discussed why the contract was shortened from the district's customary three years. Supporters said the two-year term gives the district flexibility during an election year and while the district awaits potential referendum funding that would not be realized until the 2025'26 school year. One board member said the shortened term is intended to allow the district to bring in an external buildings-and-grounds supervisor later if needed without altering the superintendent contract.

The packet included a memorandum describing the add-on duties and noting the board could fill a dedicated buildings-and-grounds supervisor in September if that proved preferable. Board discussion also cited cost savings tied to role adjustments: the superintendent salary change was described as roughly a $24,000 savings, and combining responsibilities produced an estimated $43,000 total reduction when other role adjustments were counted.

The motion to approve the superintendent evaluation and the two-year contract was made and seconded during the business portion of the meeting and carried by voice vote.

The board did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript for that motion. The contract includes the 80% FTE designation and a removable memorandum add-on for buildings-and-grounds duties; the board discussed but did not adopt a one-year contract option.

Next steps: the approved contract becomes effective July 1 under the terms discussed, and the board retains flexibility to adjust the buildings-and-grounds assignment separately if the district hires a different supervisor.