School Board

The Falls High School cafeteria was filled Monday with people who voiced support for Dianne Briggs, who was terminated as the FHS Indian Education program director in July.
Attempts by Falls School Board Chairwoman Robin Baumchen to keep the discussion on the Indian Education program at less than 10 minutes were overridden by those who spoke and provoked laughter at the Falls School Board.

The director of the Falls school district’s Indian Education program was terminated last week while district administration states it wants to move in a different direction with the program.
Indian Education Director Dianne Briggs was fired in a July 29 meeting with Falls High School Principal Tim Everson and Assistant to the Superintendent Kevin Grover. Briggs has worked as the director of the program for 10 years.

• The Falls School Board Monday heard a recommendation from the International Falls Recreation Commission that the district should return to the 60-40 joint powers funding plan which it previously used to fund programs. In the funding plan, International Falls would contribute 60 percent of the funding with the Falls school district contributing 40 percent.
The rec commission also recommended that the funding be part of a referendum levy, which would be included on the 2009 ballot.

Issues surround compliance for Indian Education grants

Falls High School Indian Education students lined the side of the cafeteria Monday as they took turns describing how the program has helped them succeed in the school district.

The Falls School Board is expected to authorize accounts payable during a special meeting at 7 a.m. Thursday in the Falls High School cafeteria.

A reorganization in the administration of the Falls school district Monday has raised concerns among residents about the process the Falls School Board used.
The Falls School Board decided not to proceed with three candidates they were considering. Instead, the board decided to hire from within the district.

The administration of the Falls School District underwent a reorganization Monday.
The Falls School Board, in a 4-1 vote, decided not to proceed with three candidates for the district’s superintendent’s position. Instead, the board decided to hire from within the district.
Board member Roger Jerome voted against the motion.
After approving the resignation of Don Langan as full-time superintendent effective June 30, the board Monday hired Langan as a part-time superintendent of the district until 2010, which is effective July 1.

The Littlefork-Big Falls School Board will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the school’s boardroom.
Expected to be approved is the hiring of Tom Millerbernd as the junior high volleyball coach, and Teresa Rom as cheerleading advisor.
Bids are scheduled to be awarded on the following: bread, milk, propane, garbage, and property and liability insurance.
The preliminary 2008-09 budget is on the agenda for approval.
The Building and Grounds, Hiring, and Grant Update Committees are scheduled to present reports to the board.

The Falls School Board is expected to hire a new superintendent for the Falls school district during its meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in the Falls High School cafeteria.
The board is also expected to accept the resignation of Superintendent Don Langan, effective June 30. The new superintendent is scheduled to begin July 1.
Candidates for superintendent are Thomas Doig of Pine City, Kevin Abrahamson of Cook, and Mark Roubinek of New Prague.

Three candidates to be interviewed by the Falls School Board beginning at 4 p.m. today

Three candidates for the position of the Falls School District superintendent are scheduled to be interviewed today beginning at 4 p.m. in the Falls High School library.
Thomas Doig is scheduled for 4-5 p.m.; Mark Roubinek is scheduled to be interviewed 5-6 p.m.; Kevin Abrahamson is scheduled to be interviewed 6-7 p.m.
Following the interviews, the public will have the opportunity to talk informally with the candidates in room 130 at FHS.

Thomas Doig