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Eden Valley‑Watkins superintendent lays out transition goals, board to begin strategic plan
Summary
New Superintendent Joel Baumgarten told the Eden Valley‑Watkins School Board he is eager to begin work and outlined transition goals; the board agreed to begin a strategic plan update in 2025 and to seek MSBA resources to support the process.
Superintendent Joel Baumgarten told the Eden Valley‑Watkins School Board on July 2, 2025, that he is "very excited to get started at EVW" and pledged to work hard for the communities of Eden Valley and Watkins. The remarks came during a 6:30 p.m. work session at the district office where the board discussed upcoming priorities for the 2025–26 school year.
The board agreed to begin a strategic plan update process in 2025, and Baumgarten said he would reach out to MSBA for resources to support the planning period. Board members reviewed district goals and strategic initiatives as part of the discussion and earmarked strategic planning as a near‑term priority for the district.
Baumgarten also suggested the board’s Finance Committee could begin meeting prior to regular board meetings starting in September to allow earlier review of financial items; the board recorded committee membership as Ben Stommes, Jen Evens and Christina DeRose. The board approved adding consideration of the district’s professional financial auditor to the meeting agenda before taking a separate vote to select that auditor.
Board Chair Jay Brovold and members Ben Stommes, Jen Evens, Ann Lemke, Christina DeRose and Nathan Haag were present for the session. The meeting record shows routine agenda and procedural motions were carried unanimously.
Next steps noted by the board include beginning the strategic‑plan update in 2025 with MSBA support and placing related items on upcoming agendas for further review. The board adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
