ELY – The Ely School Board needs to act quickly to fill several vacancies.

Directors were deadlocked this week on whether to advertise for a part- or full-time superintendent position. They planned to reconvene on Friday, June 26, to decide the issue.

Director Scott Kellerman has been out of town and will likely be the deciding vote on whether the next lead administrator for the district will be a part-time or full-time position.

The board decided in April to enter the 2015-2016 school year with three full-time administrators, superintendent, K-5 principal and 6-12 principal.

Alexis Leitgeb parted ways with the ISD 696 last week following the move to place her on administrative leave to investigate several allegations.

“I’m going to vote for a full-time position regardless of dollars,” said Director Paul Pengal. “I feel that with the dynamics of the school district, and faculty, and certain social and economic concerns with our students, we need a full-time superintendent, even in the interim.”

Director Kathy Udovich supported his motion. Board Chairman Ray Marsnik and Director Rochelle Sjoberg, voted against the motion, which failed on the tie vote.

Sensing the impasse, no motion was made to advertise for a part-time administrator. “I’m not going to change my vote just to be nice, I’ll tell you that,” Pengal said.

“I would like the superintendent to be here every day,” Udovich said. “It may not have to be a full day but they should be here every day managing things.”

After discussing several scenarios in changing the responsibilities and job duties of the next superintendent, board members decided to reconvene on Friday when Kellerman’s tie-breaking vote would solve the deadlock.

The board’s timeline to fill the position calls for a new superintendent to be in place by the middle of July.

In the meantime, Marsnik recommended the immediate hiring of the former superintendent of ISD 2142, Theresa Knife Chief, to the position of acting superintendent until a new administrator is hired. That decision was also tabled until June 26.

By law, the district is required to have a superintendent. Marsnik said officials at the Minnesota School Board Association recommended hiring an acting administrator.

Marsnik said he asked the two people on staff at Ely Schools who are licensed to be a superintendent, and they both refused the offer to fill the position. “I did contact Theresa (Knife Chief) and she said she could start immediately. We need someone here who can sign documents and other things. For example, we have a Q-Comp annual report deadline of June 30. She is experienced and would only be here for about a month.”

Knife Chief was interviewed in Ely last year to fill the 6-12 principal position. “If you are comfortable with here, I would like to see a motion to hire her tonight,” Marsnik said. Pengal made the motion to hire her.

They decided on a minimum of 10 hours per week at $50 per hour for a minimum of 30 days. Sjoberg suggested a maximum contract of 45 days.

The district’s legal counsel, Kelly Klun, suggested posting the position for a couple of days at minimum. “By law, you do need to do a posting,” she said. “I’m not trying to make this more difficult,” she said.

Marsnik stressed the urgency in filling the position. “By the time we post this and have another board meeting we’re looking at another week going by,” he said.

Pengal withdrew his motion and the board agreed to post the position for acting superintendent internally and with the MSBA this week, and decide the issue at the June 26 meeting. That meeting was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

Other vacancies

The district is also under the gun to fill the vacant seat on the School Board. Amy Richter resigned June 13 for personal reasons.

State election laws were recently changed and if a new board member is appointed after July 1, a special election will need to be held this November to fill the position.

Appointing a new school director by Wednesday would save the district an estimated $10,000 in costs for that special election this fall. If they meet the deadline, the appointed director would serve until the general election in November 2016.

“As you know, elections are expensive,” Marsnik said. “This would be the only election in town (this fall) and we are better off to make the (board) appointment now and wait until the 2016 election.” The board will have three four-year terms and the one two-year term open next year.

The board agreed to advertise for candidates for the open director seat and will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, to interview candidates and make an appointment to fill the open School Board seat.

Board members agreed to change the qualifications for the vacant athletic director position to eliminate the teaching degree requirement. Board members still prefer that a qualified teacher fill the position, but won’t require a teaching license for the part-time position.

After a review of the job description by the 6-12 principal, the board will decide on advertising the position at the July 13 regular board meeting.

In light of the vacant superintendent position, the Community Education coordinator position is also open.

“I really do feel that our Community Education program has gone downhill over the last few years and I would like revitalize that program,” Marsnik said.

He called to form a committee to meet with officials from the newly launched Ely Folk School to continue the discussion to collaborate on the district’s Community Education efforts.

Marsnik and Udovich will meet with the Folk School members and make a recommendation at the July meeting.