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Max Public School District board recognizes teachers' association, approves one-year ground-lease extension and holds closed-session on negotiations
Summary
At its March 18 meeting the Max Public School District No. 50 board voted unanimously to recognize the Max Education Association as the teachers' bargaining representative and approved a one-year ground-lease extension for the district building authority; the board then met in executive session on negotiations strategy.
The Max Public School District No. 50 Board of Education on March 18 unanimously recognized the Max Education Association (MEA) as the representative bargaining organization for district teachers and approved a one-year extension of the district's ground lease, the board said during its regular meeting at Martz Library.
The board voted 5-0 to recognize the MEA. Dennis Erickson made the motion and Jeremy Thompson seconded; the board recorded the effective recognition date as March 11, 2025, for a minimum one-year term. The recognition followed a report that the Negotiations Committee's initial meeting with the association had gone well and that ground rules were discussed.
The board also approved written notice under Section 3 of the ground lease dated July 14, 2015, to extend the lease for one year beginning July 1, 2025. Holly Sobieck moved the lease-extension motion; Erickson seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
Shortly after those votes the board voted to move into an executive session to discuss teacher negotiations strategy under North Dakota Century Code Section 44-04-19.1(9). Tayton Kramer made the motion, seconded by Sobieck; a roll-call vote recorded support from Dennis Erickson, Tayton Kramer, Clarence Ruhland, Jeremy Thompson and Holly Sobieck. The executive session began at 6:34 p.m., was attended by all five board members plus Superintendent Larry Sebastian, K-12 Principal RobbiJo Morgan and Business Manager Kelli Adams, and adjourned at 7:27 p.m. The meeting returned to open session and later adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Recognition of Max Education Association as bargaining representative: Motion by Dennis Erickson; second Jeremy Thompson; outcome: approved 5 yes, 0 no; effective date March 11, 2025, for at least one year. - Ground lease extension (pursuant to Section 3, ground lease dated July 14, 2015): Motion by Holly Sobieck; second Dennis Erickson; outcome: approved 5 yes, 0 no; one-year term commencing July 1, 2025. - Motion to enter executive session on teacher negotiations (NDCC 44-04-19.1(9)): Motion by Tayton Kramer; second Holly Sobieck; roll-call recorded five yes votes; executive session held 6:34–7:27 p.m.
Procedural notes and attendance Board President Clarence Ruhland presided. The record shows all five board members present for votes: Clarence Ruhland (President), Holly Sobieck, Jeremy Thompson, Dennis Erickson and Tayton Kramer. Superintendent Larry Sebastian and K-12 Principal RobbiJo Morgan attended portions of the meeting and were present for the executive session, along with Business Manager Kelli Adams.
What this means The board's recognition of the MEA establishes that association as the bargaining representative for district teachers for at least one year beginning March 11, 2025. The ground-lease extension is a one-year administrative action by the tenant (the district) and the Max Public School District Building Authority; the board approved providing written notice to extend the lease beginning July 1, 2025. The executive session was called specifically to discuss teacher negotiations strategy and no substantive public action was taken during the closed meeting.
Next steps The board scheduled committee meetings (Negotiations Committee and Buildings/Grounds/Transportation) for April 1 and set the next regular board meeting for April 15 at 5:45 p.m. Any follow-up actions related to negotiations or lease implementation will appear on future agendas.
